Structures deployed in the ocean to support resource extraction by gas and oil industry includes some of the largest structures humans have ever built. Deploying such structures is challenging, but removing them at the end of lease has drawbacks including significant costs to the operator as well as environmental impacts and loss of the potential ecological value of the structure as an artificial reef, which may represent significant missed opportunities for conservation and the public good.

The question has been posed as to what values do these structures deliver in place vs. the costs and benefits of removing and disposing them.