About gulf offshore research institute
The Gulf Offshore Research Institute (GORI) is a not-for-profit corporation engaged in the acquisition and conversion of retired offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of America for alternative uses, and specifically for marine monitoring, energy and environmental research, scientific education and training (MMEERSET). The platforms can also serve as infrastructure for offshore renewable energy (ORE) and offshore aquaculture operations.
offshore oil & gas platforms
MMEERSET
Offshore platforms have a variety of uses beyond their oil and gas production life.
Idea In Brief
Our goal is to provide alternatives to platform removal through multi-use applications that promote the “Blue Economy”
Power to Fuel
GORI is making its platforms available for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) or “Ocean Energy”.
The Gulf of America currently has about 1300 offshore platforms in Federal waters. GORI is working with Gulf of America oil and gas operators to evaluate offshore platforms at the end of their oil and gas producing life. By law, these platforms must be removed or reefed at the end of their producing life unless they are approved for alternative uses by the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) under 30 CFR Part 585. These regulations were authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
The BOEM Gulf of America Protraction Finder can be used to locate the Federal OCS lease blocks and platform locations.
GORI Recent News
GORI Reimagines the Future of Offshore Platforms at OTC 2026
At this year's Offshore Technology Conference, GORI Technical Director Alan Cohen presented "From Liabilities to Assets: GORI Reimagines the Future of Offshore Platforms" (OTC-36975-MS), a paper he co-authored with Executive Director Kent Satterlee. The presentation shared GORI's plan for turning...
Gulf Offshore Research Institute wins $20 million Gulf Futures Challenge award to transform offshore platforms into hubs for energy, food, and ocean monitoring
From Liabilities to Assets: GORI Reimagines the Future of Offshore Platforms Gulf Offshore Research Institute wins $20 million Gulf Futures Challenge award to transform offshore platforms into hubs for energy, food, and ocean monitoring MANDEVILLE, La. – April 23, 2026 – More than 1,300 offshore...
2023 Final Report to Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission: Advancing the Viability of Oil Rig Associated Aquaculture
Advancing the Viability of Oil Rig–Associated Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico In partnership with the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Innovasea Systems, NOAA, and the University of Miami, the Gulf Offshore Research Institute (GORI) conducted an in-depth study to advance offshore...