Four years ago the Golden State passed a law allowing reefing.

四年前，加州通过了一项允许珊瑚化的法律。

Operators typically favour reefing but it is not always economical or allowed, says David Welch of Stone Energy Corporation.

能源公司的大卫·威尔士认为，经营商特别支持珊瑚礁化，但是，这样做往往不划算而且也不合法。

Within five years oil firms will be reefing one offshore rig in four, predicts Quenton Dokken of the Gulf of Mexico Foundation, a conservation group.

墨西哥湾基地的Quenton预测，在五年内，石油公司将能把四分之一的海上钻井平台珊瑚礁化。

Operators are loth to estimate costs publicly, but the Tulane University Energy Institute reckons that reefing the state's 27 platforms could save $2 billion.

经营商并不愿意公开费用，但是杜兰大学能源学院认为，将该州27个钻井平台珊瑚礁化能够省下20亿美元。

Louisiana's take has averaged $270,000 per reefing—and the state has seen 336 of them, says Mike McDonough of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

来自路易斯安那野生动物与渔业局的麦克认为，该州平均从每个珊瑚礁获利27万美元，而且目前已经发现了336座珊瑚礁。