Revised deal between California conservationists and oil company allows expanded drilling

New plan for California offshore oil announced

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — An agreement announced Wednesday — if approved by the government — would allow a Texas oil company to expand drilling off the coast of California’s scenic Santa Barbara County.

The Environmental Defense Center says the revision involving several conservation groups addresses concerns that sidetracked the original 2008 plan, mainly by making the agreement public and by giving the state the right to enforce it.

The plan would allow Houston-based Plains Exploration & Production to drill new shafts from an existing offshore platform into an undersea formation in state waters.

PXP would shut down existing oil production from three offshore platforms in nine years and a fourth platform in 14 years.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — An agreement announced Wednesday will allow a Texas oil company to expand drilling off the coast of California’s scenic Santa Barbara County.

The Environmental Defense Center says the revision involving several conservation groups addresses concerns that sidetracked the original 2008 plan, mainly by making the agreement public and by giving the state the right to enforce it.

The plan would allow Houston-based Plains Exploration & Production to drill new shafts from an existing offshore platform into an undersea formation in state waters.

PXP would shut down existing oil production from three offshore platforms in nine years and a fourth platform in 14 years. It also requires removal of two onshore facilities and hundreds of acres of onshore wells.