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Kari Schoeffler – Black Elk Energy
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Black Elk Energy announces “Save the Blue” initiative to protect and preserve ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico

Houston, TX – 14 July 2025 – Black Elk Energy, an independent oil and gas company, announced today the launch of a Gulf of Mexico environmental initiative called “Save the Blue”. The proposed initiative is a cooperative effort intended to protect and preserve ecosystems existing around oil and gas structures. Save the Blue calls for an ecosystem study to be performed near the end of an oil & gas platform’s useful life. If a thriving ecosystem exists, the program recommends that deck, well and pipeline abandonment of the facility be safely conducted as stipulated by regulations, but allows the structure to remain in place to protect and preserve the marine life that has formed a habitat on and around the structure.

According to the Save the Blue initiative, hurricane risk would be mitigated by removal of platform decks, eliminating wave-in-deck failure potential. Navigation aids would be removed from the decks and placed on the structure legs remaining above the water level at a sufficient height to protect mariners. Anodes would be maintained on the facility to ensure the structural steel is protected against corrosion. With proper care and protection, these platforms can maintain their integrity for hundreds of years, providing a long-term habitat for marine life including various fish and some endangered coral. Owners of the platforms would donate the structure and monetary funds into a trust fund to maintain and preserve the ecosystems for future generations of fishing, diving, education and research.

“As a diver, fisherman and independent energy producer, I have a unique prospective of many facets of our extraordinary Gulf of Mexico,” says John Hoffman, CEO of Black Elk Energy. “Witnessing first-hand the Gulf’s vibrant, thriving ecosystems has brought me to question: should we really destroy these wonderful ecosystems? The existing regulation was enacted before anyone could conceive of the amazing life that would develop on and around the oil and gas platform structures. Beyond the moral issue, there is a legal conflict. Scientific research has shown that numerous endangered and protected species of corals and marine life are catastrophically destroyed in the decommissioning of offshore platform structures. The intent and spirit of many laws and treaties which protect these ecosystems are in legal and scientific conflict with the removal requirements as dictated by the Code of Federal Regulations. I ask that others join the ‘Save the Blue’ effort to ensure the future of the Gulf is preserved and protected.”

“The points that Mr. Hoffman raise are accurate,” says Dr. Paul W. Sammarco, professor at the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON). “They require attention, both from our legislators and from the public. Personally, I agree with Mr. Hoffman’s position that the legislation governing decommissioning of platforms needs to be reviewed, particularly in light of conflicting national and international legislation. In addition, the concepts that he raises regarding a future administering board and its role in the decision-making process regarding decommissioning is admirable and well thought out. It seems quite viable.”

 About Black Elk Energy

 Black Elk Energy, LLC is an independent oil and gas company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Founded by seasoned industry executives, the company is dedicated to developing and delivering American energy for the benefit of the American consumer.

 About Paul Sammarco, Ph.D.

 Paul Sammarco, Ph.D. is a member of the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON). Dr. Sammarco has been conducting research in coral reef ecology for over twenty years. Dr. Sammarco received his Ph.D., in Ecology and Evolution at the State University of New York and his B.A., 1970, Biology Syracuse University. Dr. Sammarco has published a series of reports and documents pertaining to the issue of the marine life of the Gulf and beyond. His research interests range and include distribution and abundance of scleractinian corals in the northern Gulf of Mexico; effects of oil and gas platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico on biogenographic expansion of scleractinian corals; distribution and abundance of corals on toppled 'Rigs-to-Reefs' artificial reef structures in the northern Gulf of Mexico, using ROV's; reef regeneration processes, including coral and sea urchin population restoration procedures; Invasive species in the northern Gulf of Mexico; and environmental policy / science policy - using current scientific knowledge to mold present and future environmental policy.