The topics below explore in greater detail individual aspects of the Project that are analyzed and considered during the CEQA process. Additional information on oil and gas drilling and production practices is included as well.

  • As the most populous state in the nation California’s demand for gasoline and other petroleum products is very high. This Project directly contributes to California’s growing energy independence by reducing the need for imported oil. The Project reduces the impact on the environment by reducing emissions associated with shipping oil from overseas. Producing oil and natural gas in California’s strict regulatory environment is better for the environment and the economy.
  • Termo hires the best contractors with competitive wages that contribute to a strong local economy. Oil and gas exploration and production companies like Termo directly employ 17,000 men and woman in LA County and pay $1.5 billion in wages annually.
  • In 2013, Termo contributed $207,000 in tax payments to LA County from our existing operations in the Aliso Canyon Field. We estimate the development of this project could increase our tax payments to LA County from this property by 60%.
  • CEQA is the California Environmental Quality Act, and it requires that all projects submitted to the County go through a review to determine the environmental impacts, if any, that could result from project approval and build-out. The CEQA process is well-established, and begins with the preparation of an “Initial Study,” a document that is defined by state law and regulation, and is a formal way of making a determination of a project’s potential impacts. The Initial Study is either prepared by the County, or under County direction and oversight, and must reflect the County’s independent review of the project.
  • Once the Initial Study is completed, it is circulated to responsible agencies for comments and questions. After receiving feedback from the various County departments (such as Public Works or the Fire Department) as well as state agencies (such as Fish & Wildlife or the Regional Water Quality Control Board), County staff will then determine what level of environmental review is appropriate.
  • Based on the Initial Study and the comments received on the Initial Study, the County can decide that a project is exempt, or that a Negative Declaration or Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) is appropriate. An EIR is only necessary if there are potential adverse impacts to the environmental that cannot be mitigated. If there are impacts, but those impacts are not significant or can be mitigated to a level of insignificance, then a Negative Declaration is prepared. The decision of which level of environmental review is appropriate is made by the County’s Department of Regional Planning.
  • Once the type of environmental review is decided, then the County prepares material for review by the public and the decision-makers. Documents are circulated for comment. EIRs are generally delivered in hard copy to local libraries, and the County’s website provides access to all environmental documents electronically.
  • After public comments are received, the County will prepare a staff report prior to any hearing in front of the Planning Commission or Board of Supervisors. The public has multiple opportunities to comment, and to review the County’s analysis.

California has the most robust and strictest regulatory environment in the United States. As a result we enjoy superior environmental protection and are able to safely and appropriately produce the energy that we require.

  • US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Federal and State Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA and Cal/OSHA)
  • South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)
  • State Water Resources Control Board, Los Angeles (RWQCB)
  • LA County Fire Department, Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA)
  • LA County Department of Regional Planning (DRP)
  • California Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR)
  • Safety is foremost in everything we do. Our highest priority is the safety of our employees, our communities, and our environment. We utilize facility engineering controls to ensure that our production and distribution facilities function optimally and we visually inspect every well, facility, and pipeline in the field daily.
  • We are approaching a million hours of zero lost time for our California Team.
  • Working with LA County, Termo has developed a set of rigourous Fire Safety Protocols that must be followed by all team members and contractors during the construction and drilling phases of the Project. These include pre-identified and selective removal of flammable materials; designated parking areas for vehicles; extra fire control and fire fighting equipment and water on site; and designated “fire watchmen”.
  • Termo takes spill prevention very seriously and releases are prevented by regular maintenance and attention to production facilities. Spill prevention and control is regulated by the Environmenal Protection Agency through Emergency Management Program and the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC) Rule; the State of California Division of Oil and Gas; the State Department of Fish and Wildlife OSPR program; and the LA County Fire Department CUPA program.
  • We visually inspect every well, facility, and pipeline in the field daily. Storage tanks and processing vessels that contain fluid are placed in walled concrete containment areas. Engineering and operational controls are utilized so that if the system has a malfunction, it will shut down and prevent additional fluid from being released.
  • The AQMD has the strictest air quality rules in the nation and air permits strictly limit our emissions. Termo engages in quarterly testing of equipment and the AQMD conducts regular inspections.
  • The Project has been designed to utilize electric motors instead of typical diesel engines, eliminating long-term diesel related pollution. The Project emits minor air emissions primarily associated with the production and separation process. Termo utilizes vapor recovery and other best available technology (BACT) on its tanks and separation systems to eliminate to the greatest extent possible any fugitive emissions.
  • Dust control will be implemented during construction and drilling to prevent air impacts.
  • The Project is more than 1.5 miles downwind of Porter Ranch (the wind normally blows from the coast towards the mountains) and the Project is on the other side of the ridgeline. No odors or pollutant air emissions will impact residential communities.
  • Termo is actively working with the Department of Public Works to utilize recycled water for the Project as much as possible. In addition we are researching the use of onsite water treatment to reuse our current flow of produced water. We are committed to reducing our water footprint.
  • Usage – The conventional drilling project will use approximately 1 acre foot of water for construction, well installation, and development. The oil we produce does come up from the ground mixed with oily water from the oil bearing zone. We separate out the oil and reinject the water back in the formation where it came from. Because it comes from an oil zone, this water is not drinkable.
  • Groundwater Protection – This Project involves the addition of up to 12 more wells in an existing oilfield. The oilfield is not in a groundwater basin as verified by the California Department of Water Resources or the Upper Los Angeles River Area (ULARA) meaning that no significant groundwater resources are known from the site. The closest groundwater, the San Fernando Valley Groundwater Basin, is one mile away.
  • Watershed Protection – The Project sites are designed to contain and control stormwater from affecting any neighboring drainages, a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan will be implemented to protect water resources, and the Spill Contingency Planning takes protection of water as its primary action item. The small drainages in the canyons are usually dry and flow only for short periods following rain events.
  • The DOGGR regulations and construction standards are designed with the goal of protecting the environment while ensuring responsible development of oil and gas resources. The point should not be lost in the public debate that the stringency of these regulations, including the safety factors and built in redundancies, are first and foremost designed to isolate and contain oil and gas and to protect fresh water zones.
  • All oil and gas wells in California are constructed to meet a high standard. All drilling and well construction plans are prepared by specialist engineers and the Department reviews well designs before drilling to ensure the construction plans meet well construction standards. Well construction standards have a fundamental purpose – to ensure “zonal isolation.” Zonal isolation means that oil and gas coming up a well from the productive, underground geologic zone is completely contained within the well bore.
  • The Project will be constructed and drilled in phases. The first site will be graded and a drilling rig will be moved in to drill and test the first well. We anticipate only drilling about 2 wells per year.
  • Although an area of complex geology, the Aliso Canyon Field has been in continous production since 1938 and the area is well understood by those geologists and engineers that work in the area.
  • The drilling of a conventional oil well into the target zones poses no threat of induced seismicity.
  • This project does not include the use of hydraulic fracturing. It is not proposed.
  • Construction and drilling traffic would be of relatively short duration. Approximately twice a year a drilling rig would be moved to the field. The drilling rig is broken up and transferred by 20 large trucks, accounting for approximately 40 – 50 round trips over 2 to 3 days. Service vehicles for the drilling operation would account for up to 10 trucks per day for 30 days.
  • If all 12 wells are actually installed over the next 6 years, at full build-out and maximum production, the Project would result in approximately 10 additional tanker trucks carrying oil from the site per week. These would be the normal tankers you see on roads and highways today.
  • Based on existing traffic count data in the immediate vicinity of the field (2012 KSS Fuels Traffic Count) the short-term drilling and construction traffic would result in a maximum traffic increase of 1.17% over existing traffic. The estimated long-term traffic increase would be 3/10th of 1 percent of existing traffic.
  • The use of chemicals is routine in oil and gas operations and chemicals are utilized for such needs as water treatment and conditioning, scale inhibition, and well cleanout. Chemical use, safety, and storage is regulated by the EPA and the CUPA program. Chemicals stored onsite are contained and isolated to prevent potential impacts.
  • The Project area is over 1.5 miles away from the nearest residence. As a result of this distance and the topography, there will be no noise impacts on any residents.
  • The Project is on the north side of the ridge and is not visible from Porter Ranch. The Project is on private property and does not block or negatively impact hiking or equestrian trails. The Project sites are situated such that no visual impact will occur for recreation users in the regional parks.
  • The Project has been carefully designed to avoid environmental impacts. By using existing roads and infrastructure and by siting the three pads in areas of non-native grassland we avoid impacts to native plants and plant communities. We will trim some limbs on oak trees that overhang the existing roads so that trucks and equipment don’t damage them.
  • The oilfield is on the boundary of a County designated Significant Ecological Area. The Project was presented to the County’s SEATAC, the Technical Advisory Committee that reviews all projects in or adjacent to an SEA. The SEATAC unanimously approved the Project finding it compatible with the goals and objectives of the SEA program and land management policies.
  • The Project is specifically designed to avoid harming the large oak trees that are in the area. Termo is working closely with LA County Biologists and Foresters to ensure the oak trees are protected and cared for.
  • We have been reading the social media and news stories just like you have. There are major falsehoods, inaccuracies, and misrepresentations about the Project. We encourage you to read and understand the Project and gather independent information about oil and gas operations in California.
  • Our entire project description will be made public. This is a small addition of up to 12 conventional wells (no fracking) to a nearly 80 year old oilfield. You can ask any question via this website (or see the FAQ Section for questions and answers already submitted and provided).
  • We believe if you understand the Project, you will be able to better recognize the false representations that are being published.