Tenneco Towers Shallow

In October 1985, the Tenneco Oil Company sank five large sections of an oil rig platform. These sections were placed in three locations along an east-west line, with progressively deeper waters. The section closest to the shore was originally the top of the oil derrick, now resting at a depth of 95 feet (30 meters) with its top reaching 65 feet (20 meters). About 200 feet (61 meters) east of the first site lies the second shallow site, featuring two adjacent structures. This dual site is considered the most interesting of the two shallow sites by many dive operators. The main working platform is a roughly 65-foot (20-meter) square, accompanied by a taller secondary structure approximately 26 feet (8 meters) wide. Both structures rest on a sandy seafloor that bottoms out at 110 feet (33.5 meters). The taller, thinner tower rises to a depth of 75 feet (23 meters), while the working platform reaches 84 feet (25.5 meters). The Tenneco Shallows sites, submerged for over 30 years, teem with marine life. Large sponges and delicate corals cover the structures, providing a habitat for a diverse array of reef fish. Grouper, sharks, bait fish, jacks, grunts, and other species can be observed on top of the structure or patrolling the sandy seafloor. Moray eels have taken up residence in hollow tubes, while angelfish dart in and out of the shadows. Divers exploring the Shallows site with the double structure can enjoy open swim-throughs without requiring wreck diving certification. However, caution is necessary due to the potential to damage the coral and sponges that envelop all surfaces, including the lattice of supporting braces beneath the working platform.