Marine Life & Ecological Surveys
Advanced science and technology for unparalleled ocean insights
ROV-based surveys to visually document marine fish and invertebrate life
eDNA to assess ecosystem health, map biodiversity, and track species presence
Telemetry-based surveys to examine fish residency time and habitat use
Reproductive output studies to understand fish spawning and larval output
Hydroacoustic surveys to quantify fish abundance
FEATURED PROJECT
Gabonese Reefing Project
Location: Gabon
Client: TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies (Total) operates several mature offshore oil and gas (O&G) platforms along the coast of Gabon, Africa. As part of the asset retirement plan revision, TotalEnergies is undertaking a comprehensive multicriteria evaluation to determine, among other criteria, the most environmentally responsible and sustainable approaches for decommissioning. To support this process, TotalEnergies engaged Blue Latitudes to design, coordinate, and implement a multifaceted series of scientific studies aimed at characterizing the marine ecosystems associated with these platforms and informing data-driven management decisions.
Studies by Blue Latitudes integrated a variety of cutting-edge methods:
Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to detect species presence and diversity
Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveys and advanced camera-based assessments using 360° and stereo imaging to document marine life in three dimensions
Larvae and plankton net sampling to understand early life stages of key species
Fish telemetry surveys to track movements, site fidelity, and behavior of adult populations in the vicinity of the platforms
The work was carried out across two field campaigns, combining in-country field operations with remote data analysis and interpretation to ensure robust and comprehensive ecological assessments.
Together, these efforts delivered critical insights into species composition, abundance, and spatial distribution, enhancing understanding of how offshore O&G structures function as artificial reefs. The results inform TotalEnergies’ decommissioning strategy, helping ensure that these structures are managed in a way that balances operational needs with marine conservation objectives, and providing a foundation for future research and environmental stewardship in the region.
Core Services
