The Biden Administration presented a comprehensive plan to eliminate all remaining oil and gas infrastructure located off the coast of California once they stop production. The final programmatic environmental impact report (PEIS), released by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Protection (BSEE), outlines a strategy to ensure that no fossil fuels infrastructure remains in federal waters. hinder other offshore operations and affect the sea. ecosystem.
Unlike the original article, this new method will provide a detailed description of the PEIS report without using text citations. BSEE emphasizes that the final PEIS is the result of a thorough analysis based on scientific evidence, tribal consultation, public input, and the best available information. This document provides guidance to BSEE for future decommissioning requests, specifically addressing the complete removal and disposal of oil and gas platforms, pipelines and associated facilities.
According to the California State Land Commission, there are currently 23 oil and gas drilling platforms in federal waters off the coast of California, one of which is a processing facility and the other 22 producing oil and gas. Under the new plan, all offshore drilling platforms and their associated infrastructure must be completely removed when production stops.
The decline in offshore drilling activities in the region contributed to this decision to remove the platforms. Federal data suggests that California’s offshore crude oil production has declined by 94% since its peak in the 1990s, with less than 11,000 barrels being produced per day by 2021 (source: https://www.eia .gov/state/? sid=CA). This decline is reflected in the Biden administration’s proposed plan to have the fewest number of offshore oil leases in US history, which includes only three lease auctions in Gulf of Mexico, compared to the previous administration’s plan that called for six leases in overseas auctions. coast of California.
The commitment of the Biden-Harris administration to a clean energy future and strengthening America’s energy independence was emphasized by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. The proposed plan is consistent with the administration’s focus on supporting the offshore wind industry, while protecting coastal communities and minimizing environmental damage.
Frequent questions
1. What is the purpose of the PEIS published by BSEE?
The Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIS) provides guidance on future decommissioning requests for the complete removal and disposal of California’s offshore oil and gas infrastructure.
2. How many oil and gas drilling rigs are currently operating in federal waters off the coast of California?
There are 23 oil and gas drilling platforms, including processing facilities, and 22 oil and gas producing platforms.
3. How much has California’s offshore oil production declined?
Offshore California crude oil production has fallen 94% since its peak in the 1990s, with less than 11,000 barrels being produced per day by 2021.
4. How is the Biden Administration’s plan different from the previous plan regarding offshore drilling leases?
The Biden administration’s plan proposes the fewest offshore drilling leases in US history, with just three lease auctions in the Gulf of Mexico, compared to the previous administration’s plan that called for six lease auctions. California beach lease.
