Southern California Gas Storage Enhancement Project
What's New
The County conducted an Environmental Impact Report public scoping meeting for the proposed project at Goleta City Hall on March 18, 2010. The meeting was lightly attended by the public. Two residents provided verbal comments. One speaker voiced concerns about project noise and vibration, while the other expressed concern about construction traffic on More Ranch Road.
Public comments on the scope of the EIR, including potential environmental impacts, mitigation measures to reduce the impacts, and project alternatives are welcome. Please address written comments to: County of Santa Barbara, Planning & Development, Attn: John Day, 123 East Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Comments must be received in our offices by the close of the public comment period at 5:00 PM on April 12, 2010.
Refer to the attached announcement and “Project Status” (below) for additional information.
Background
Southern California Gas Company operates a natural gas storage field, La Goleta Storage Field, located on S. Patterson in the Goleta area. SoCalGas purchases market quality natural gas when prices are low and stores it in a depleted gas reservoir located at the La Goleta. The gas is withdrawn at times of high demand and sold to consumers located in 12 counties in central and southern California.
Project
Description
Proposal by Southern California Gas Company to produce native gas from an onshore natural gas reserve located under their La Goleta Storage Field. The project would include the development of 2 production wells, 2 exploratory wells, 2,800 feet of underground pipeline, and a dehydration unit at the La Goleta Storage Field. The applicant estimates there is 3 to 5 billion cubic feet of recoverable gas. The withdrawal of native gas would enhance the existing storage field by expanding the total storage capacity at the facility. Once gas reserves have been produced, the production wells would be integrated into storage operations. The exploration wells are proposed to investigate the feasibility of producing native gas from an adjacent natural gas reserve.
Project Status
The project application was found complete and an initial study was prepared. The initial study identified one Class I significant impact to visual resources resulting from the temporary presence of the proposed drilling rig. The Energy Division has issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Scoping Document is provided as an attachment to the NOP. Issuance of the NOP begins a 45-day review by interested agencies and the public. The purpose of the scoping process is to solicit input from agencies and the public, to help define the scope of the EIR.
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