Background
Venoco and prior owners have operated the Carpinteria Processing Facility (CPF) in the Carpinteria area since the 1960s. The CPF was constructed in 1959 and was originally built to receive oil and gas from Platforms Hilda, Hazel, Hope and Heidi all of which were decommissioned in 1996. The CPF began receiving oil and gas production from Platforms Gail and Grace in 1988. In 1998, Venoco acquired 100 percent ownership of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Leases P-0204, P-0205, P-0208, P-0209, P-0215 and P-0217 from Chevron, and took over as operator of the existing offshore and onshore production. The CPF currently processes oil and gas resources that are produced from the Sockeye Field from the OCS Platform Gail. The platforms (Platform Grace ceased production in 1998) are operated under the terms of Federal OCS Leases P-0205 and P-0217 (the Santa Clara Unit) held by Venoco.
Current Operations
The existing CPF site includes six parcels currently zoned M-CD, Coastal Dependent Industry, by the City:
APN 001-170-014; Oil and Gas Processing
APN 001-170-022; Oil and Gas Processing
APN 001-170-023; Oil and Gas Processing
APN 001-170-004; Dump Road, Storage Yard and Buffer Area
APN 001-170-004; Buffer Area
APN 001-170-021; Casitas Pier Parking and Access
The site address is 5675 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria. The site is accessed off of Dump Road. The plant facilities include a large bulk crude oil storage tank, pipeline shipping pumps and metering skids, a gas compression plant, a natural gas liquids recovery plant, field offices, tanks, maintenance shops, and other equipment and facilities. Current gas and oil production is approximately 3,700 thousand standard cubic feet per day (MSCFD) and 4,602 barrels of oil per day (BPD), respectively.
Facility Permits
Casitas Pier
The pier is operated by Venoco. It is located on tidal and submerged lands under lease from the City of Carpinteria. It is located just south of the CPF and is accessed via Dump Road. The pier is not available for public use. It is used for access to crew boats for transferring personnel and equipment. The parking lot adjacent to the pier is also used for temporary supply equipment storage.
Offshore Platforms
Platform Gail
Operator – Venoco
Wet oil and gas to the CPF
Located in eastern Santa Barbara Channel
739 feet of water
Approximately 10 miles offshore
Platform Grace
Operator – Venoco
Wet oil and gas to Platform Gail
Pass through of wet oil and gas from Platform Gail to the CPF
Located in eastern Santa Barbara Channel
318 feet of water
Installed 1979
318 feet of water
Platform A
Operator – Dos Cuadras Offshore Resources (DCOR)
Located approximately 6 miles from shore
Installed 1968
Wet oil and gas sent to Rincon Oil & Gas Processing Facility
Produced water disposed
Platform B
Dos Cuadras Offshore Resources (DCOR)
Located approximately 6 miles from shore
Installed 1968
190 feet of water
Wet oil and gas sent to Rincon Oil & Gas Processing Facility
Produced water disposed
Platform C
Dos Cuadras Offshore Resources (DCOR)
Located approximately 6 miles from shore
Installed in 1977
Wet oil, gas and produced water sent to Platform B
Platform Hillhouse
Dos Cuadras Offshore Resources (DCOR)
Located approximately 6 miles from shore
Installed in 1969
Wet oil, gas and produced water sent to Platform A
Platform Habiat
Dos Cuadras Offshore Resources (DCOR)
Located approximately 8 miles from shore
Installed in 1981
Produces gas only which is sent to Carpinteria Onshore Gas Terminal
Platform Henry
Dos Cuadras Offshore Resources (DCOR)
Located approximately 4.5 miles from shore
Installed in 1979
174 feet of water
Wet oil, gas and produced water sent to Platform Hillhouse
Platform Hogan
Pacific Operators Offshore LLC (PACOPS)
Installed in 1967
154 feet of water
Wet oil, gas and produced water sent to La Conchita Oil and Gas Processing Facility
Platform Houchin
Pacific Operators Offshore LLC (PACOPS)
Installed 1968
163 feet of water
Wet oil, gas and produced water sent to Platform Hogan
Pipelines
OFFSHORE PIPELINES
Offshore pipelines that make landfall in the City include the Platform Gail to Platform Grace to the CPF oil (12 and 10 inch) and gas (10 inch) lines and the Platform Habitat to the Pitas Point Natural Gas Odorant and Metering Facility gas (12 inch) line. The pipelines are operated under Right of Way (ROW) permits from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Regulation and Enforcement (formerly the MMS) and are subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and regulations under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 195, Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline.
ONSHORE PIPELINES
Crude oil from the CPF is shipped to market using a common carrier crude pipeline (10 inch) from Carpinteria to the Rincon Common Carrier Crude pipeline system (10-inch mainline). The pipeline was previously owned and operated by Chevron and is currently owned and operated by Ellwood Pipeline, Inc. (EPI), a subsidiary of Venoco. The pipeline was originally installed in 1980. The pipeline is monitored continuously by a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system at the CPF. The operation and maintenance of these pipelines is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 195, Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline. The pipelines are also regulated by the California State Fire Marshall under the California State Pipeline Safety Act of 1981.
Natural Gas Odorant and Metering Facilities
Natural gas is a colorless and odorless gas and can be harmful if inhaled, can cause suffocation, fire or explosion. As such, and as required by law, natural gas must be odorized prior to entering a pipeline distribution system. The odor also assists in the detection of gas leaks and prevention of hazardous consequences. The odorant used by the Gas Company is tetrahydrothiophene and has the well known “rotten egg” smell. There are two natural gas odorant and metering facilities located in the City of Carpinteria.
Carpinteria and Pitas Point Natural Gas Odorant and Metering Facilities
The Carpinteria Natural Gas Odorant and Metering Facility receives and adds odorant to gas produced at Platform Gail after the gas has been processed at the Venoco Carpinteria Processing Facility. The facility, operated by the Gas Company, is located north of the CPF and adjacent to City Hall. The Pitas Point Facility receives and adds odorant to gas produced on Platform Habitat.
The odorant plants consist of a pump, odorant tank and metering system that allow for a steady injection of odorant into the gas stream. Odorant is currently delivered to the locations about two times per year.