VENOCO ELLWOOD OIL DEVELOPMENT

Platform Holly, photo courtesy of Linda Krop

EDC represents four organizations (Sierra Cub, Get Oil Out!, Citizens for Goleta Valley and Citizens Planning Association) in their efforts to prevent Venoco from expanding oil development from Platform Holly, near UCSB and Goleta.

Platform Holly is located in State waters approximately two miles offshore UCSB and Ellwood.  This platform was initially installed by ARCO in 1966, and produces oil and gas that are transported via pipeline to the Ellwood Onshore Facility (EOF) for processing.  The EOF is located between the Sandpiper Golf Course and Bacara Hotel. 

The oil is then transported by pipeline to storage tanks at Devereux (on UCSB property), before being loaded onto barges at the Ellwood Marine Terminal (EMT) for shipping to refineries in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas. 

Venoco’s operations have resulted in significant impacts to the community and the environment.  In 1999, the State Lands Commission temporarily shut down Platform Holly following a series of dangerous gas releases.  The barging operations create odors that impact the residents and recreational users in the area.  The risk of an oil spill remains on ongoing threat to the Devereux Slough and the University’s Coal Oil Point Ecological Reserve, home to the federally protected snowy plover and other important seabirds.

Venoco Ellwood Onshore Facility, photo courtesy of Linda Krop

In 1997, Venoco purchased Platform Holly from Mobil and proposed a new project: the Ellwood Full Field Development proposal, which would expand the existing State offshore lease.  This expansion would encompass parts of the Ellwood field that were previously quitclaimed to the State by Venoco’s predecessor, ARCO, and are now part of the California Coastal Sanctuary.  EDC and our clients are concerned about the impacts that would result from the expanded use of Platform Holly, including air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, safety hazards, and threats to the surrounding ecology, including the Devereux Slough and Coal Oil Point Ecological Reserve. Click here to read EDC Comments on Draft EIR for Venoco’s Ellwood Full Field Development Project.  To learn more about Venoco’s application with the California State Lands Commission, click here.

Venoco Ellwood Marine Terminal, photo courtesy of Linda Krop

In a related matter, Venoco has applied to the California State Lands Commission for permission to continue its barging operations from the EMT.  Over the years, there have been many problems with Venoco’s barging operations, including complaints about odors and accidental releases of oil.  Venoco is the only producer in the State that does not transport its oil by onshore pipeline.  The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the EMT lease finds that pipeline transportation is the environmentally preferred alternative. Read EDC Letter to Lt Governor Garamendi regarding Venoco’s Ellwood Marine Terminal Lease.  To learn more about Venoco’s application,click here.

Snowy plover at Coal Oil Point Reserve, photo courtesy of Linda Krop

Hearings on these two projects are expected to occur later in 2009.  EDC will continue to work with our clients and the community to protect our coast from the harmful effects of oil development.