EPA Docs reveal frack waste released in sB Channel

Venoco's platform Holly off the Santa Barbara coast. K. Rivers 2013.

The Associated Press through a Freedom of Information request has received documents from the Environmental Protection Agency which reveal that companies operating wells off California's central coast not only we allowed to hydraulically fracture wells without any environmental review, but they were also allowed to release waste water from fracking into the ocean. 

Oil companies point out that the water is treated before being released, and that fracking has not caused any environmental damage in California. 

VCInFocus is awaiting comment from local companies Venoco and DCOR. Both of which have application pending before the Ventura County Planning office. DCOR has a major modification request pending. 

Here is a detailed article about the EPA documents and the companies operating offshore in SB and Ventura County, including information about their frack jobs. 

http://www.cantonrep.com/topstories/x1592813946/Oil-companies-frack-in-coastal-waters-off-California

And here is the website of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement BSEE: http://www.bsee.gov

Government documents including permits and internal emails from the BSEE reveal that fracking off the shores of California is more widespread than previously known. While new oil leases are banned, companies can still drill from 23 grandfathered-in platforms in waters where endangered blue and humpback whales and other marine mammals often congregate.

In March, a privately held oil and gas company received permission from the agency to frack some 10 miles off the Ventura County coast. The job by DCOR LLC involves using the existing wellbore of an old well to drill a new well. Three so-called “mini-fracks” will be done in an attempt to release oil locked within sand and rocks in the Upper Repetto formation.

Only a month before the application was approved, however, an official with the BSEE voiced concerns about the company’s proposed frack and whether the operation would discharge chemicals into the ocean.
Read more: http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x1592813946/Oil-companies-frack-in-coastal-waters-off-California#ixzz2bCSTskB6

Of note: The website listed for DCOR LLC based in Ventura is currently offline, and in July the Ventura Chamber of Commerce welcomed DCOR to it's ranks.