In 2005 the Gulf of Mexico was significantly impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, two of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. Combined, these storms destroyed over 100 offshore oil and gas platforms and damaged more than 500 pipeline segments. The extent of this damage raised concerns within BOEMRE's Historic Preservation Program regarding the potential effects to Gulf of Mexico shipwrecks that were subjected to the same destructive forces.