Project Plug

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Proj​ec​​t Plug addresses the environmental impacts of legacy wells and facilities in ​​​our communities. ​​​​
Learn about ​​​​regional work on Phase One projects below. ​​​

Subscribe to the ​Oil & Gas Outreac​h ​listserv​​ to receive updates for public ​meetings and other 
announcements.​​​

Para español seleccione la opción en la esquina superior derecha de la pantalla.

​Visit the State Oil and Gas Well Plug and Abandonments Page​​ for the Latest Project Actions and Announcements​

Information on Specific Projects - Click to View Below:

Inspectors

Mountain View Field (Kern County)

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Healthy plant

West Hi​lls (Los Angeles County)

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Pumpjacks

Cat Canyon (Santa Barbara County)

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About Project Plug

Thousands of orphaned or deserted wells exist unplugged across the state - some dating back to the origin of California's oil industry more than 130 years ago. These wells are hazardous to wildlife, the environment, and communities that now live near these facilities. Oil and gas companies are responsible for plugging a well, if they do not, the state can step in to plug the well and pursue cost recovery from those companies.  

Governor Newsom, the State Legislature, and the Federal Government provided the Department of Conservation substantial funding to address unplugged, orphaned wells. Project Plug uses these resources to identify old, orphan wells that present the highest risk to communities and the environment, and then permanently plug those wells and remove adjacent facilities. Because orphan wells are a major source of greenhouse gases, this effort is run in conjunction with the State's Methane Task Force and the Department's ongoing engagement with community groups in affected areas.

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Project Area Details​​​​​

AllenCo ​(Los Angeles Cou​nty)​​​

Total Wells: 21
Sealed Wells: 13
Project Start Date: Late 2023
Status: Ongoing                         
   
Expected Completion: ​Second Calendar Quarter of 2026                                                                                                                                      
  • This site includes 21 wells and a tank in Los Angeles. 
  • The site is situatedbetween Saint James Park residential properties and St. Vincent Elementary School.
  • Numerous public agencies took enforcement actions against the operator, which has a long history of noncompliance.
  • In 2022, the Department depressurized all 21 wells. In 2023, it plugged two wells that continued to build pressure. Nineteen remain to be plugged.                                                                                                                                

The Community Health, Safety, and Notification Plan provides community members with essential information about work schedules, safety measures, and emergency contacts. Click here ​to access the complete plan.                                                  

El Plan de Salud, Seguridad y Notificación Comunitaria proporciona a los miembros de la comunidad información esencial sobre los horarios de trabajo, medidas de seguridad y contactos de emergencia. Haga clic aquí para acceder al plan completo.​​                

Project PLUG Work Updates: AllenCo

September 5, 2025: To date, the Department of Conservation (DOC) and contractor, Driltek, has plugged 13 of the 21 “Saint James" drill site wells. Other wells have had some partial plugging and sealing completed, but these wells are still undergoing observation before completing those processes. The project is expected to be completed by first quarter of 2026 calendar year. ​
   

August 1, 2025:  To date, the Department of Conservation (DOC) and contractor, Driltek, has plugged 11 of the 21 “Saint James” drill site wells. Other wells have had some partial plugging and sealing completed, but these wells are still undergoing observation before completing those processes. The project is expected to be completed by second quarter of 2026 calendar year. 
       
    
       
    
Want to learn more?  Visit the page for AllenCo Oil Production Facility (Los Angeles)​​​                                                     
           
                                                                                                                                                                               

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Mountain View Field​ (Kern Cou​nty)​

Total Wells: 39
Sealed Wells: 11
Project Start Date: May 28, 2025
Status: Ongoing​​​       

​Background        

A total of thirty-nine oil wells—previously operated by Sunray Petroleum, Blackstone Oil and Gas, and Prine Oil Company—are being permanently sealed following regulatory violations and non-compliance with state requirements. These wells are located south-east of Bakersfield.                                        

There are two major areas of work: near Arvin and near Fuller Acres.              

Arvin

Total Wells: 25
Sealed Wells: 9
Work Started: May 28, 2025
Status: Ongoing              

The Arvin work area is located north of the City of Arvin, north and east of Arvin High School. This area includes twenty-five (25) wells that were designated for plugging and sealing.      

Preliminary site work began in early March to assess each well's condition. Above-ground storage tanks (ASTs) were sampled before safely being dismantled, and the top twenty-four inches of contaminated soil were properly removed and disposed of.      

Two rigs started plugging operations on May 28, 2025. Methane samples were collected one month prior to the work, during the process, and again six months later.        

As of now, 9 of the 25 wells in this area have been permanently sealed.​       

Fuller Acres

Total Wells: 14
Sealed Wells: 2
Work Started: July 24, 2025
Status: Ongoing           

The Fuller Acres area is located north of Lamont, near Weedpatch Highway and East Panama Lane. This area includes fourteen (14) wells that were designated for plugging and sealing.        

Site preparation for rig work began on July 24, 2025, with rig operations starting on August 4, 2025. Two (2) above-ground storage tanks (ASTs) were sampled before safely being dismantled.        

Two rigs started plugging operations on August 4, 2025.        

As of now, 2 of the 14 wells in this area have been permanently sealed.        

Other

Additionally, there are two other wells located along Malaga Drive and Comanche Drive.             

           

Photo: The Portman 1 well and crews from Rig 1201 starting early due to the summer heat north of Arvin, CA.    ​ 
      

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Fruitvale Field (Kern Cou​nty)​​​​​​

Total Wells: 39
Sealed Wells: 25
Project Start Date: June 21, 2024
Status: Ongoing
           

Background          

A total of thirty-seven oil wells—previously operated by Sunray Petroleum, Blackstone Oil and Gas, and Griffin Resources LLC—are being permanently sealed following bankruptcy, regulatory violations, and non-compliance with state requirements. These wells are in the City of Bakersfield, between Rosedale Highway and Stockdale Highway in the vicinity of Mohawk Street.           

There are two major areas of work: near North of the Kern River and near South of the Kern River.​           

North of Kern River

Total Wells: 12
Sealed Wells: 0
Work Started: TBD (anticipated mid-2026)
Status: Upcoming
           

The North of the Kern River work area is in the City of Bakersfield, between the Rosedale Highway and the Kern River near Mohawk Street. This area includes twelve (12) wells that were designated for plugging and sealing.  Sunray Petroleum filed for bankruptcy in 2011.  CalGEM anticipates returning to the Fruitvale Field to seal these 12 wells in mid-2026.           

South of Kern River

Total Wells: 25
Sealed Wells: 25
Work Started: June 21, 2024
Status: Ongoing
         

The South of the Kern River work area is in the City of Bakersfield, between the Kern River and Stockdale Highway near Mohawk Street and California Avenue. This area includes twenty-five (25) wells that were designated for plugging and sealing.
         

These wells were operated by Griffin Resources. CalGEM issued multiple emergency orders to Griffin Resources regarding these wells. Griffin has sued the state regarding plugging orders and has filed for bankruptcy.           

On June 25, 2024, CalGEM and state contractors began preparing the twenty-five well sites operated by Griffin Resources LLC along Truxton Avenue. They disconnected and flushed pipelines, removed pump jacks, and utilized two main rig setups with the help of Coil Tubing Units. Access posed challenges due to the tight surroundings, requiring cooperation from local businesses and residents.           

As of December 23rd, CalGEM certified that all twenty-five well sites were completed, plugged, sealed, and backfilled. Remaining tasks include flushing and filling pipeline components, as well as dismantling facilities to restore the sites. However, work is currently on hold due to bankruptcy proceedings, while inspections are ongoing to ensure safety.​
         

As of now, 25 of the 25 wells in this area have been permanently sealed.
           


           

Photo: Well A-74 and the state plugging and sealing work, juxtaposed against the Stockdale Tower, a 12-story office building, and the tallest building in Bakersfield.​           

                                                                                                                                                           

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West H​ills (LA Co​​u​nty)​​

Total Wells: 6
Project Start Date: October 2025
Expected Completion: Early 2026 

 

The six wells are located in the Canoga Park Oil Field which sits in the West Hills area of Los Angeles.  The wells are near a busy recreational area.          

The wells were operated by Cache Oil Co., Canoga Oil Company, Frank Knapp and Liu Cheng, and Lin, all of whom face multiple violations that led to the Department's order to plug the wells.               

 

September 10, 2025: West Hills Community Meeting – Plugging & Sealing Wells​            

An in-person community meeting will be held September 10, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm for residents of the West Hills area to learn about upcoming work on 6 oil wells that will be plugged and sealed in the neighborhood. Please submit your questions and/or RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/g/J9zZDCg3q9            ​

This project Community Health, Safety, and Notification Plan provides community members with essential information about work schedules, safety measures, and emergency contacts. Click the link below ​to access the complete plan.  ​​ 

   

 

 
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Cat Canyon (Santa Barbara)​

Total wells: 210                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Estimated project start: Began in 2023, will complete in 2026-2027 ​                                                                                                                                                                                                

Approximately 210 wells are located primarily in the environmentally sensitive Cat Canyon field and the Santa Maria Valley field in Santa Barbara County, near Santa Maria and Orcutt.  
 
In the first phase of this project, 171 wells were plugged and permanently sealed.  The work included the proper closure and removal of associated pipelines and facilities. The remaining 38 wells will be addressed in a subsequent phase, as they may require more complex remedial work.         
 
These wells were previously operated by HVI Cat Canyon, Inc., and were prioritized due to the operator’s poor well management and maintenance history, previous well leaks and broken pipelines, and proximity to sensitive receptors, including agricultural workers. 
                                                                                                                                                            
Visit the page for HVI Cat Canyon State Abandonment Project
                                                                                                                                                               
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Kern Bluff Field​ (Kern County)
Total Wells: 46
Sealed Wells: 0
Project Start Date: TBD
Status: Upcoming
            
                              

Background          

A total of forty-six oil wells—previously operated by Sunray Petroleum, and Citadel Exploration—are being permanently sealed following bankruptcy, regulatory violations, and non-compliance with state requirements. These wells are located north-east of Bakersfield.
            

Sunray Petroleum            

The Sunray Petroleum area is located near the City of Bakersfield, north of Highway 178 near intersection of Morning Drive and Highway 178. This area includes nine (9) wells that were designated for plugging and sealing.  Sunray Petroleum filed for bankruptcy in 2011​.
           

Citadel Exploration            

The Citadel Petroleum area is located near the City of Bakersfield, north of Highway 178 to the north-east of the intersection of Morning Drive and Paladin Drive. This area includes thirty-seven (37) wells that were designated for plugging and sealing.  Citadel Exploitation has a history of non-compliance.            

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Huntington Beach (Orange County)​

Total wells: 2                          
                                                                                                                                                         
Estimated project start: 2026 or 2027                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Rex Oil Company's Montebello 5 Oil Well is approximately 40 feet south of Garfield Avenue, between Stewart Ln. and Gothard St. A residential apartment complex lies 420 feet east of the wellhead on Gothard St.                                                                                                                                                            

Golden Bee, Inc.'s Pursell 1 oil well is located amongst residential properties on 21st Street in Huntington Beach. The well sits within 10 feet of residences and approximately 1,200 feet from a busy public beach.​​                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                           
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Brea (Orange County)​​​​

​​​​    Total wells: 1    ​
                                                                                                                                                          
Estimated project start: 2026 or 2027                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The well is located north of Brea Canyon Road near residential areas. The well was operated by the Crown of the Valley Oil Company.      
                                                                                                                                                    

Project PLUG Work Updates: Orange County

August 28, 2025:  The INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION for the Permanent Sealing of an Orphan Well in Orange County has been released for Public Review. The project involves the State of California's plugging and abandoning (permanent sealing) of one (1) orphan well on the eastern side of Orange County, California. The well, identified as Well #1 (API[1]: 0405907151), is in the Brea-Olinda Oil Field north of Brea, California.
               

[1] API refers to the unique well identification number established by the American Petroleum Institute.​​               

Mitegated Negative Declaration - Orange County Project (PDF)​​
               


               

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Oxnard (Ventura County)

Total wells: 45                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Estimated project start: 2025                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Most of the wells are located on the outskirts of Oxnard, near agricultural fields and within 3,200 feet of some residential facilities and a water canal. Six are located in the Montalvo Field west of Oxnard.
 
Peak Operator, LLC, was ordered to plug all of its wells (41) due to numerous violations of state regulations. The remaining wells were operated by Vaca Energy, LLC, which also faces multiple violations and civil penalties.                                                                                                                                                                

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Signal Hill (LA County)

Total wells: 1                                                                                                                                                              
Estimated project start: 2026-2027  ​                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                          
The well is located in Signal Hill, approximately 300 feet southeast of the Signal Hill Police Department. The well, previously operated by the Estate of Harold C. Martin, was idle for more than 45 years.
   
                                                                                                                                                            
   
                                                                                                                                                            
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Simi Valley (Ventura County)

Total wells:  2 
                                                                                                                                                            
Estimated project start: 2025-2026                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The wells are located near Simi Valley within 150 feet of homes.   They were operated by Clarence R. Barnett Inc. and have been inactive since October 2013. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2015.                                                                                                                                                                

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