Controversy bubbles over offshore oil development

Journal Article · Mon May 23 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Chem. Eng. News; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cen-v061n021.p021· OSTI ID:5744001

Baum, R

When Chevron USA announced last year a major offshore oil discovery on tract 450 in California's Santa Maria Basin, the news did not come as a surprise to the oil industry. However, that discovery and subsequent ones in the same area did focus attention once again on oil development off the coast of California, particularly off the coast of Santa Barbara. Oil development off S. California's coast has been proceeding steadily for many years, but recently the pace has been picking up. Major new fields have been discovered, and projects to develop those fields have been proposed. Both the state and federal governments want to lease additional areas. The activity is controversial because it involves real and largely irrevocable decisions about how resources are used. It involves unpleasant trade-offs and the difficult task of assessing the value of intangible assets such as a scenic coastline or an endangered species. The issues are similar to those facing any large-scale development project.

• OSTI ID: 5744001
• Journal Information: Chem. Eng. News; (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. News; (United States) Vol. 61:21; ISSN CENEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020000* -- Petroleum
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
CALIFORNIA
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FEDERAL REGION IX
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAND LEASING
LAND USE
LEASING
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
OFFSHORE SITES
OIL FIELDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PRODUCTION
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
USA