The Good News About Offshore Oil Rigs

Townhall.com ^ | October 22, 2014 | Jonah Goldberg

[Smokin' Joe]

Claisse says in interviews that he hopes policymakers will take his findings into account when approving renewable energy sources such as ocean-based wind farms.

So, they aren't promoting oil rigs, but offshore wind farms.

First off, the vibrations from a wind generator will set up different sound waves in the water, unlike a production platform which won't have harmonics like a wind generator. The production platform likely warms the water around it as well (the oil is generally warmer than the seawater when it comes out of the ground) creating upwelling currents which bring nutrients up from the depths--helping feed the surrounding biota and contributing to the reef effect.

I would doubt the effect would be the same with a wind generator platform, but it would be best to study whether that is the case before assuming the effects would be the same.