A model was developed for the Buccaneer gas and oil field that integrated biological, chemical (hydrocarbon), and physical submodels. State-of-the-art flow analysis techniques were used to describe the structure and function of the system. Five compartments consisting of phytoplankton, zooplankton, plankton feeders, fouling flora, and fouling fauna were identified as being system importers. Fouling feeders, particulates, the benthos, benthic feeders, and large predators compartments are exporters from the system. Hydrocarbons discharged from the platform are rapidly dispersed from around the platforms.