Oil and gas are major energy resources in Ventura County. There are currently (2018) 57 oil companies operating in Ventura County under the authority of 135 conditional use permits granted by the County to authorize oil and gas activities. Oil and gas are produced in Ventura County using both traditional and enhanced recovery techniques. While there is significant oil and gas production in Ventura County, no new offshore oil and gas development is anticipated in the county or nearby Federal waters because of regulation and opposition from the California State Lands Commission.
Goal: COS-7
To effectively and safely manage the exploration, production, and drilling of oil and gas resources in Ventura County.
The County shall only approve discretionary development for oil and gas development if the area of ground disturbance constitutes the minimum necessary to accomplish the project objectives.
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The County shall require new discretionary oil wells to be located a minimum of 1,500 feet from residential dwellings and 2,500 from any school.
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CAP
The County shall require new or modified discretionary development permits for oil and gas exploration, production, drilling, and related operations be subject to current State and County policies, standards, and conditions.
RDR
The County shall require discretionary development for oil and gas exploration and production to use electrically-powered equipment from 100 percent renewable sources and cogeneration, where feasible, to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from internal combustion engines and equipment.
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CAP
The County shall require that discretionary development for oil and gas exploration activities be conditioned to require the restoration and revegetation of the site if the exploration does not result in oil and gas production facilities.
RDR
The County shall evaluate discretionary development to identify any abandoned oil and gas wells on the project site.
RDR
The County shall require new discretionary oil wells to use pipelines to convey crude oil and produced water, if feasible. Trucking of crude oil and produced water may only be allowed if the proponent demonstrated that conveying the oil and produced water via pipeline is infeasible. In addition, trucking of crude oil and produced water is allowed in cases of emergency and for testing purposes consistent with federal, state and local regulations.
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CAP
The County shall require that gases emitted from all new discretionary oil and gas wells shall be collected and used or removed for sale or proper disposal, if feasible. Flaring or venting may only be allowed if the proponent demonstrates that conducting operations without flaring or venting is infeasible. In addition, flaring or venting is allowed in cases of emergency or for testing purposes consistent with federal, state, and local regulations.
RDR