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Coastal Resources:
An Overview of California’s Offshore Oil and Gas Industry
For much of the past century, the coastal oil and gas
industry in California has played a significant role
in our state’s economic growth, lifestyles, technological
and industrial development, history and culture.
- The offshore oil and gas industry is a vital part
of California’s thriving economy. In 1997, oil and
gas producers directly employed 38,000 people in California,
4,000 of them in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis
Obispo counties.
- Offshore oil and gas producers have an excellent
record of protecting the environment. The 1969 oil
spill off the Santa Barbara Coast furthered awareness
of the need for strong oversight, protection, training
and technology. California’s offshore oil and
gas industry is one of the most highly regulated and
environmentally sensitive industries in the world.
- Offshore oil and gas activities occur while the
healthy marine environment off the California coast
thrives.
- Technology has brought about significant improvements
in the environmental protection and safety records
of offshore oil and gas platforms.
- Industry-sponsored cooperatives and agencies regularly
practice prevention and provide immediate oil spill
response capabilities along the California coast.
These cooperatives provide 24-hour stand-by response
services to quickly handle any type of offshore release-from
a vessel, pipeline or platform.
- The offshore oil and gas industry has been, and
continues to be, a major source of funds for California’s
education system. These funds come from state and
federal royalties, state income and corporate taxes,
property taxes, and local fees.
- Offshore oil development has provided more than
$1 billion to federal, state, and local governments
for parks, nature preserves, historic preservation,
interpretive centers, and recreational facilities,
including bicycle trails, swimming pools, and community
centers.
- The state’s offshore industry contributes
to alternative fuels. Clean burning natural gas is
a major product of California’s offshore industry.
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