COVID-19 UPDATE:
Plug and abandonment operations on Platform Holly are temporarily suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have evaluated different approaches to continue with the plugging and abandoning work while maintaining the physical distancing requirements among the workers and keeping everyone safe. But because of the relatively small size of the platform and the number of personnel needed on the platform during the plugging and abandonment work, we can not ensure worker safety consistent with State requirements. Our contractor will remain on-site during this temporary suspension for operations, maintenance, and security purposes.
As background, in April 2017, Venoco quitclaimed its interests in the South Ellwood Field leases, including Platform Holly and the Ellwood Beach pier leases near the City of Goleta. The quitclaim ends commercial oil and gas production in state waters in the Santa Barbara Channel and returns operational control of these assets to the Commission. California’s Coastal Sanctuary Act prohibits the Commission from issuing new offshore oil and gas leases.
The Commission selected Beacon West Energy Group, LLC as its contractor to operate and maintain Platform Holly and the Ellwood Onshore Facility. Beacon West, under the Commission’s oversight, began ensuring the security and safe daily operations and maintenance at Platform Holly and the Ellwood Onshore Facility in September 2017.
ExxonMobil, the successor in interest to prior operator Mobil Oil Corporation, agreed to fulfill its obligation to abandon the 30 wells, seven of which were Venoco re-drilled and are state obligations, and the two near-shore wells on what was Oil & Gas Lease 421.
Town Halls
- Goleta Town Hall Meeting 03/10/2021
Presentation | Video of the meeting - Goleta Town Hall Meeting 08/27/2020
Presentation | Video of the meeting - Goleta Town Hall Meeting 11/07/2019
Presentation | Webcast - Goleta Town Hall Meeting 06/27/2019
Presentation | Webcast - Goleta Town Hall Meeting 11/15/2018
Presentation | Video of the meeting - Goleta Town Hall Meeting 05/14/2018
Presentation - Goleta Town Hall Meeting 06/15/2017
Presentation | Photo Gallery
Previous Staff Reports
- Staff Report – 02/27/2018 (92)
- Staff Report – 07/11/1997 (76)
Additional Information
- Memorandum of Understanding – CSLC / City of Goleta
- Phase 1 Agreement – CSLC / Exxon
- Beacon West Energy Group, LLC contract
- ExxonMobil letter of intent
- Reimbursement Agreement extension request
- Request for payment to Aspen Insurance
- Default letter to Venoco
- Reimbursement Agreement
- Resolution
- Assignment Agreement – Mobil Oil Corp. agrees to retain responsibility for the Leases
- Geologic Energy Management Division Orders
Leases, Amendments & Quitclaims
Lease PRC 421 – 10/22/1949
PRC 421 Amendment – 10/22/1959
PRC 421 Amendment – 04/01/1993
PRC 421 Amendment – 08/01/1997
PRC 421 Amendment – 08/26/2013
PRC 421 Quitclaim – 04/13/2017