California

Hydraulic fracturing in California is primarily used to maximize the yield of conventional wells rather than to reach gas otherwise inaccessible by conventional wells.

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FracTracker and Consumer Watchdog continue to monitor permits to drill new oil and gas wells and rework existing wells under California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Click above to see the latest numbers and map. Browse the articles below to learn more.

RESOURCES

FracTracker Data Folder Contents

FracTracker provides state-specific data on issues such as:

Locations of oil and gas facilities
Pipelines and processor locations
Production amount of oil and gas generated
Amounts of waste generated from oil and gas

The data folders may also contain information on other energy generation locations, data from different years, and data on violations committed by oil and gas facilities. Amount of information and types of information will vary by state. Get data.

More Data Sources

CalGEM provides data on all California oil and gas wells.

Recommended Citation

If you are planning to use the maps or information from our site, here is how we request that you cite this content:

(Title). (Date Posted). (Mapped/provided) by FracTracker Alliance on FracTracker.org.

Please include a link to the original data source if available. Most FracTracker maps are built on an Esri platform. If you have questions about how to cite our work, please email us at info@fractracker.org.

LATEST CALIFORNIA ARTICLES

FracTracker Finds Widespread Hydrocarbon Emissions from Active & Idle Oil and Gas Wells and Infrastructure in California

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August 22, 2022

FracTracker inspections of oil and gas infrastructure using an optical gas imaging camera found numerous sources of uncontrolled emissions in three California counties.

California Regulators Approve More Oil Well Permits Amid a Crisis of Leaking Oil Wells that Should be Plugged

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July 29, 2022

FracTracker’s in-the-field inspections and updated analysis of CalGEM permit data shows that California’s regulatory practices and permitting policies risk exposing frontline communities to VOCs from oil and gas well sites.

This photo is of oil drilling in the Inglewood Oilfields of Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles. Photo by Brook Lenker, 2017.

Implications of a 3,200-foot Setback in California

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April 6, 2022

California is the only major oil state without a health and safety setback from fossil fuel activity. This article explores what a setback in California means for its people and environment.

New Trends in Drilling Permit Approvals Take Shape in CA

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March 15, 2022

FracTracker's recent analysis finds that California's drilling permit approvals have slowed since last October, but not across the board. This trend only applies to permits for new drilling and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) wells.

Oil and Gas Drilling in California Legislative Districts

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March 14, 2022

FracTracker has been working with grassroots organizations to inform legislators and locals about oil and gas extraction in their districts, including maps and tables of the infrastructure in their areas.

Oil and gas companies use a lot of water to extract oil in drought-stricken California

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November 9, 2021

FracTracker details the disproportionate amounts of water used by the oil and gas industry in CA and recommends that Gov. Newsom take action.

It’s Time to Stop Urban Oil Drilling in Los Angeles

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September 14, 2021

Oil & gas wells in Los Angeles disproportionately impact marginalized communities, producing dangerous levels of invisible, toxic emissions.

Prison Strike Poster by Melanie Cervantes

California Prisons are Within 2,500’ of Oil and Gas Extraction

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September 9, 2021

California prisoners are on the frontlines of the environmental justice movement, thousands living within 2,500’ of operational O&G wells.

BLenker_infrastructure-oilrig-southLA-CA_Oct2017 feature

New Neighborhood Drilling Permits Issued While California Fails to Act on Public Health Rules

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August 5, 2021

California drilling permits continue while Frontline communities and grassroots groups call for an immediate moratorium and 2,500' setback.

California Oil & Gas Drilling Permits Drop in Response to Decreased Permit Applications to CalGEM

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July 26, 2021

As California permit approvals for new oil & gas well drills decrease, Consumer Watchdog urges the Governor to move from fossil fuels.

California Denies Well Stimulation Permits

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July 20, 2021

California regulators recently denied 21 well stimulation permit applications—a welcomed move in the right direction—but not enough.

Kern County’s Drafted EIR Will Increase the Burden for Frontline Communities

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March 4, 2021

Built on sound data and ample research, FracTracker recommends several measures be taken to protect the health of California's overburdened Frontline Communities.

California Oil & Gas Setbacks Recommendations Memo

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February 23, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to recommend guidelines to CalGEM for evaluating the economic value of the social benefits and costs to people and the environment in requiring a 2,500 foot setback for oil and gas drilling (OGD) activities.

Oil and Gas Wells on California State Lands

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February 12, 2021

The fossil fuel industry has historically taken advantage of…

People and Production: Reducing Risk in California Extraction

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December 17, 2020

Executive Summary New research shows that low-income communities…

FracTracker Alliance has conducted numerous spatial analyses…

National Energy and Petrochemical Map

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February 28, 2020

This map from FracTracker Alliance is filled with energy and petrochemical data. Explore the map, continue reading to learn more, and see how your state measures up!

D O N A T E N O W

California

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FracTracker Data Folder Contents

More Data Sources

Recommended Citation

LATEST CALIFORNIA ARTICLES

FracTracker Finds Widespread Hydrocarbon Emissions from Active & Idle Oil and Gas Wells and Infrastructure in California

California Regulators Approve More Oil Well Permits Amid a Crisis of Leaking Oil Wells that Should be Plugged

Implications of a 3,200-foot Setback in California

New Trends in Drilling Permit Approvals Take Shape in CA

Oil and Gas Drilling in California Legislative Districts

Oil and gas companies use a lot of water to extract oil in drought-stricken California

It’s Time to Stop Urban Oil Drilling in Los Angeles

California Prisons are Within 2,500’ of Oil and Gas Extraction

New Neighborhood Drilling Permits Issued While California Fails to Act on Public Health Rules

California Oil & Gas Drilling Permits Drop in Response to Decreased Permit Applications to CalGEM

California Denies Well Stimulation Permits

Kern County’s Drafted EIR Will Increase the Burden for Frontline Communities

California Oil & Gas Setbacks Recommendations Memo

Oil and Gas Wells on California State Lands

People and Production: Reducing Risk in California Extraction

Documenting emissions from new oil and gas wells in California

Recommendations for an EIR to prioritize Kern County Frontline Communities

Systematic Racism in Kern County Oil and Gas Permitting Ordinance

California, Back in Frack

California Setback Analyses Summary

National Energy and Petrochemical Map