CalGEM Oxnard Community Meeting

On June 18, 2024 California Department of Conservation Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) hosted an Oxnard community meeting to discuss the plugging of 51 high priority oil and gas wells in the region. The meeting was held at the Jose R. Flores Saticoy Community Center in Ventura and featured several presenters, including Doug Ito, State Oil and Gas Supervisor of the Geologic Energy Management Division; Robert Schaaf, State Abandonment Program Manager; Ibukun Ajayi, Oil and Gas Senior Engineer; and local contractor Adrian Almazan from Driltek.

A significant topic of discussion among residents was the accountability of CalGEM and operators in plugging existing wells. During the Q&A session, residents expressed frustration about inadequate notice of the meeting and lack of awareness about wells near their homes. Ibukun Ajayi, CalGEM Regional Oil and Gas Senior Engineer, explained that only residents living immediately near wells were notified. ForestWatch advocated for broader notification efforts, suggesting collaboration with cities, counties, and the state to secure funding for better informing all residents in the area.

ForestWatch followed up by asking CalGEM about requiring full bonding from California Resource Corporation (CRC) in its purchase of Aera Energy. In late 2023, CalGEM mandated CRC to post a $30 million blanket bond, citing state law that permits such requirements for operators at risk of deserting wells. ForestWatch supported CalGEM’s view that CRC, with over 6,000 idle wells statewide, poses abandonment risks. However, questions remained about whether CalGEM would enforce full bonding during CRC’s acquisition of Aera Energy, the largest operator in Ventura County. CalGEM clarified that this transaction did not meet the criteria for mandatory bonding under state law AB 1167. ForestWatch urged CalGEM to advocate for local counties to impose additional bonding requirements beyond state law, though CalGEM stated it couldn’t officially take a position but acknowledged the need. We are working closely with CFROG Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas to ask the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to reinstate the oil and gas bonding and surety ordinance back into the Planning Division’s work plan.

Supervisor Ito concluded the meeting by referencing a local resident’s plea to honor commitments to plug wells. Since assuming his role, Supervisor Ito has increased community engagement to better understand local needs, marking this his second visit following last December’s Ventura County Toxic Tour. CalGEM’s goal remains to expedite well plugging to meet state targets. There is an estimated 5,300 likely orphan oil and gas wells across California. ForestWatch hopes for more CalGEM community meetings as progress is made in well plugging. The state is aiming to plug the regional 51 high priority oil and gas wells by 2025.