A series of planned discussions between the Culver City Council and the new owners of the Inglewood Oilfield will soon determine how and when the city moves forward with its plans for municipal governance over future oil and gas activities.
Sentinel Peak Resources is planning to perform a series of geological studies in the oil field to determine the extent of their oil drilling activities and had asked city officials to delay the release of its environmental assessment and land use plan for the oil field.
A divided council voted 3-2 at a special April 17 meeting to work with Sentinel Peak executives for 90 days to iron out specific agreements on “mutually agreeable principles.”
In the interim, per an amendment by Councilman Göran Eriksson, Sentinel Peak will not apply for oil drilling permits during the 90 day period, will reimburse Culver City for any coast associated with future oil regulations and studies.
The agreement and its conditions will remain in place if Sentinel Peak decides to sell the oil field.
In return, Culver City will delay releasing its environmental study and specific plans, which will be the basis of the city’s update of its municipal oilfield regulations. The city released draft regulations in 2013.
“I want to make sure that in good faith they don’t apply for any oil drilling permits during this delay. If we’re going to give them this they have to give us something,” Eriksson explained about his amendment.
Councilwoman Meghan Sahli- Wells and Vice Mayor Jeffery Cooper cast the two votes against the resolution.
“The only question that I have, the singular question that I have is, is it in the public’s interest to move forward or is it in the public’s interest to wait?” Sahli- Wells asked before voting.
Sentinel Peak Resources Executive Vice President George Paspalof said the geological review that his company is working on will yield important benefits. “What we do with those studies will show the level of efficiency (for an operating an oil field.) It’s in our best interests to as efficient as possible,” Paspalof said.
Cooper inquired about the oil and gas company’s plans to use hydraulic fracturing in the oil filed, an oil exploration technique that has been vilified by several environmental and conservation organizations.
Paspalof said much of the area that Sentinel Peak might use for oil exploration was not “conducive” to hydraulic fracturing.
Some cites on the East Coast have banned hydraulic fracturing, or fracking as it commonly called.
Oil companies that engage in fracking use high pressure liquids to force open the fissures of underground rocks and blast through the formations.
An organization called Frack Free Culver City opposes any use of hydraulic fracturing in the Inglewood Oilfield.
In June of 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that there are potential “vulnerabilities” to drinking water brought on by hydraulic fracturing.
But the scientific analysis also showed that the controversial oil extraction technique has not led to “widespread, systematic” risks to groundwater.
Culver Crest homeowner John Kuechle said dealing with Sentinel Peak was a “breath of fresh air” in comparison with the former oilfield owners, Freeport McMoRan. “I think their request for an extension seems perfectly reasonable,” said Kuechle, who is a member of the Los Angeles County Citizens Advisory Board and a former Culver City Planning Commissioner.
Resident Jessica Cattelino had a slightly different take. She said although the company was unable to move ahead with any immediate plans due to the uncertainty about the oil field regulations, they assumed that known risk when they bought the oil field.
“Policymakers can’t govern in fits and starts whenever private companies change hands. That’s uncertainty too,” she asserted.
Dozens of Sentinel Peak employees addressed the council and asked for an extension.
Field foreman Charles Henderson said Sentinel Peak takes environmental concerns and preventive maintenance very seriously. “I hope that we can sit down and devise a comprehensive plan that benefits all of us,” Henderson said.
Douglas Spachter, Sr. has worked in the Inglewood Oilfield for 27 years and is now a supervisor. “A lot of us have a lot of reverence for this field. There is genuine concern about doing the right thing for everyone,” Spachter told the council.
The council plans to inform the public in July about the progress- or lack thereof- they the subcommittee has made with Sentinel Peak after the three month period.