“Challenges and Opportunities for Operating in Environmentally Sensitive Basins –
Learning from the California Experience.”
Marina Voskanian - Chief of Planning and Development,
California State Lands Commission

Marina Voskanian Chief of Planning and Development, California State Lands Commission

 

Abstract:

Exploration and production activities in sensitive areas must meet the challenges of careful planning and high environmental performance under the close watch of interested parties including government agencies, fishermen, and environmental groups. California has been a battleground for establishing a balance between oil and gas operations and protection of the environment.  The 1969 blowout and oil spill from Unocal offshore platform A in the Santa Barbara Channel received international attention and was a major catalyst in the development of modern environmental law in the United States.  These laws, along with the cost of compliance, have resulted in the exodus of major operators from California. It also had a drastic effect on the level of investment and the management of offshore resources.

 

Faced with the prospect of total loss of its offshore resources to sanctuary, as well as the loss of oil and gas royalty revenues, the State of California addressed new paradigms, working with the smaller operators.  Smaller operators, who serve as stewards of these resources, have profited greatly from the benefits of advanced technologies in managing oilfields in sensitive environments.  Using new technology from existing infrastructure, combined with cooperative efforts between government agencies and the operators, it has demonstrated that successful development can be achieved with no, or mitigateable environmental impacts.

 

This presentation will demonstrate different type of oil and gas developments in California using extended reach drilling with minimum to no environmental impact, and will review the issues and some of the solutions with potential application to other parts of the world.