Facing pipeline, Saudi oil company moves coral reef

A Saudi Arabian oil company recently completed a relocation of a small coral reef found to be in harms way of a planned pipeline in the Arabian Gulf. Aramco, the Saudi state owned oil company, discovered the small reef in an environmental impact assessment around 100 meters offshore that was in the path of a trench to hold the pipeline. With the help of the Saudi Environmental Protection Department Aramco enlisted the help of two companies Reef Ball Australia and Reef Ball USA, both of which had experience in coral relocation and artificial reef development. In three weeks they relocated over 500 coral colonies to their new reef home around 700 meters away and at approximately the same depth. Along with the cnidarians, various small fish and invertebrates were also given a new home. An intriguing side note that should interest our own resident ceph-head Rich Ross, the operation happened to coincide with the cuttlefish breeding season. The cuttlefish continued “business as usual” laying their eggs on hard natural surfaces and the artificial concrete coral bases, diver gear, transfer baskets, and other items in the new coral nursery area.