The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is set to expand its artificial reef system with the addition of the spar section of the decommissioned Neptune VK826 oil rig, also known as the "Beer Can Rig". The rig, located around 60 nautical miles off the Alabama coast, is being repurposed through the state's Rigs to Reefs program together with Noble Energy, Inc., the rig's owner.

The Rigs to Reefs program allows the ADCNR to convert decommissioned oil and gas rigs into artificial reefs that support a wide array of marine life, including species targeted by anglers. As part of the agreement, oil and gas companies are required to donate to the Alabama Seafoods Fund, which supports research, monitoring, habitat restoration, and management of Alabama's marine resources.

The rig's platform was removed on July 24, and the spar, measuring 705 feet by 72 feet, will be towed and sunk at a depth of 700 feet approximately 55 nautical miles south of Mobile Bay in early August 2023. Anglers can expect to have access to the new reef site in late August or early September.

The Beer Can Rig has been a significant marine habitat since its service initiation in the late 1990s. The durability of the spar structure will continue to support a stable offshore ecosystem and provide generations of anglers with access to quality outdoor recreation.

For more information about Alabama’s Artificial Reef Program, visit www.outdooralabama.com/saltwater-fishing/artificial-reefs.