Brown signs bill to cap idle oil, gas wells
Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill on Sept. 9 that aims to cap more idle oil and gas wells. Assemblyman Das Williams, D-Santa Barbara, authored AB 2729, which ensures that funding is available to cap idle wells and creates disincentives for operators to maintain large numbers of idle wells. The bill also broadens the definition Read More →
Phillips 66 crude-by-rail project continued
Story updated at 10 p.m. May 16: The Phillips 66 proposal to expand its crude-by-rail project was continued until September. The San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission rejected a motion to deny the project at its meeting on May 16. Phillips 66 plans to build a rail spur that would connect its refinery to Union Pacific’s major interstate Read More →
Ventura Oil Field’s 100th anniversary celebrated
About 150 people turned out on April 9 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Ventura Oil Field. Hosted by operator Aera Energy, the event featured cupcakes decorated with the company’s logo. “It’s unusual for an oil field to celebrate a century of operations,” said Christina Sistrunk, Aera president and CEO. With production of 14,000 Read More →
Venoco files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Venoco, the Denver-based oil and gas company with substantial operations in the tri-county region, has filed a pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy after agreeing with lenders to slash $1 billion in debt. Venoco said March 18 that it reached an agreement with its senior lenders on a restructuring agreement. The company earlier said it was suspending Read More →
Plains oil pipelines don’t qualify as interstate
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Venoco misses interest payment, looks to restructure debt
Venoco is looking to restructure its debt as the Refugio oil spill fallout and oil market decline has hindered operations. The Denver-based oil producer that has offices in Carpinteria has chosen not to make the $13.7 million semi-annual interest payment due Feb. 16 on its 8.875 percent senior unsecured notes as the company considers its Read More →