Rincon Frequently Asked Questions

The onshore site is located 1.3 miles east of Rincon Island, downcoast from Mussel Shoals, at 5750 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Ventura. A map of Rincon Island and the onshore site can be found here.

Phase 1 work included: 1) safely managing daily facilities operations; 2) ensuring federal and state regulatory compliance; 3) designing and executing well plugging and abandonment of 75 state wells (25 onshore and 50 offshore), as well as two orphaned Hobson Fee wells that were not part of the state lease operations; 4) decommissioning and remediating (when required) surface facilities and oil and gas assets covering former state leases PRC 145, PRC 410, and PRC 1466; 5) repairing the causeway to assure safety and withstand loads sufficient to remove of surface facilities; and 6) preparing Rincon Island, the causeway, and onshore site for caretaker status.

While the bulk of Phase 1 work is complete, the Commission’s Phase 1 contractor, Driltek, Inc., will remain onsite to maintain the safety and security of the onshore and offshore sites during the caretaker status period. This will maintain an on-site presence, ensure that the remaining facilities and infrastructure are maintained in safe working condition, and provide site security while Phase 2 proceeds.

Phase 1 work began in July 2018. Onshore well plug and abandonment work began in September 2018 and was completed in August 2019, with the exception of one injection well, which was completed in May 2021. Offshore well plug and abandonment began in January 2019 and was completed in January 2021. Causeway repair work was initiated and completed in 2020. Derelict oil and gas equipment and surface facilities were decommissioned and removed and the sites placed in caretaker status between late 2020 and June 2021, and the sites were officially in caretaker status as of July 1, 2021.

The State appropriated $50.46 million in General Fund monies to the Commission for Phase 1 work. Of this sum, $20 million was appropriated for fiscal year 2018-19, $20 million was appropriated for fiscal year 2019-20, and $10.46 million was appropriated for fiscal year 2020-21.

Based on current spending trends, staff anticipates that the Phase 1 plug and abandonment project will come below the $50.46 million appropriation. It is presently anticipated that total costs through July 1, 2021, when the caretaker status period begins, will be just under $45 million.

During the caretaker status period, costs are estimated to average $475,000 to $500,000 per year, assuming no special circumstances or emergency projects. The remaining State appropriations should exceed the funds needed to maintain the sites during the caretaker status period and provide a cushion in the event of any delay in beginning the Phase 3 decommissioning work, which would extend the anticipated caretaker status period.

Yes. Driltek, Inc. will continue to staff Rincon Island with a caretaker to provide site security and maintenance. Site presence will be augmented with roving security.

Caretaker status means a safe and secure condition requiring only minimal maintenance and security. Caretaker status occurs after well plug and abandonment and basic site clearance, including the removal of oil and gas facilities and dilapidated infrastructure associated with prior oil and gas operations. During caretaker status, the caretaker (a Driltek, Inc. employee or agent) need only perform basic maintenance on remaining infrastructure and facilities and will maintain an onsite presence to monitor the sites and deter trespassing. Roving security will be employed to monitor the sites when the caretaker is not present.

No. These facilities will continue to be secured and closed to the public throughout the caretaker status period. Future public access to these sites will be considered after the decommissioning project (Phase 3) is complete.

Phase 2 consisted of a feasibility study (completed in July 2022) followed by environmental analysis and preparation of an Environmental Impact Report under CEQA (completed in July 2024).

The Rincon Island Decommissioning Project approved by the Commission in August 2024 (Item 71) does not include removal of Rincon Island.

No. Rincon Island is on State sovereign tide and submerged lands. The Commission is constitutionally prohibited from selling such lands. To the extent Rincon Island is retained, the State will continue to own Rincon Island and the Commission will continue to manage it. In such event, reuse of the island by any private parties will be considered after submission of a lease application, which staff will process and submit to the Commission for consideration.

It is undetermined at this time what Rincon Island and the onshore site will be used for in the future after the decommissioning project is complete. The Commission welcomes ideas and applications for reuse.

Phase 3 will begin after the Commission acquires all necessary permits and funding for the decommissioning project. Commission staff will also need to select a contractor to perform the decommissioning work.

Phase 3, the final phase of the Rincon Decommissioning Project, will consist of decommissioning Rincon Island, the onshore pipeline connection, and the onshore facility.