Coastal Resources:
Facts About California’s Offshore Oil and Gas Industry

The offshore oil and gas industry provides essential energy resources for the California economy and lifestyle.

• Offshore oil production in California was responsible for approximately 17 percent of the 289 million barrels of crude produced in 2002. 16.4 million barrels of crude were produced from offshore sources in state waters and 30.9 million barrels of crude oil were produced from sources in federal waters in 2002.

• The California Coast is home to 27 platforms and five man-made islands. The majority of offshore facilities, including platforms and one man-made island, are off Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Four platforms and all five man-made islands are in state waters that extend up to three miles off the shoreline. Twenty-three platforms are in federal waters that extend from three miles off the coast.

• Even though California is the fourth largest oil producing state in the United States, total 2002 in-state oil production accounted for 48% of California’s oil consumption. 21.7% came from Alaska and 30.3% from foreign sources.

• California’s overall oil production rate decreased slightly in 2002, due mainly to continued declines in offshore federal waters. According to the California Energy Commission, environmental concerns and related regulations are impacting these reductions.

• Demand for oil has been steadily increasing in California. We are the largest gasoline consuming state and the second largest jet fuel consuming state in America. If in-state production continues to decline and demand continues to rise, energy self-sufficiency for California will become less and less attainable.

|| Top of Page ||