WARREN E&P, WILMINGTON
|
FAST FACTS
WELL COUNT: 90 active oil wells COMPANY: Warren E&P DISTANCE FROM HOMES: 200 feet The "living hell" that Warren Energy & Power operates 24 hours a day is a constant nuisance to residents of Wilmington. While the oil company tries to appease them with gift cards, they worry about the health and safety of their families as they develop eye irritations, chronic migraines and respiratory illnesses. |
CURRENT OPERATIONS
Warren Energy & Power is using known carcinogens and engaging in gravel packing and acidization to extract oil from the Wilmington Oil Field, which contains more than 6,150 wells. Although most oil extracted from the Wilmington Field is pulled from offshore wells, there are a number of active onshore drill sites in close proximity to homes and schools, some as close as 200 feet away. The Warren E&P site operates 24 hours per day.
COMMUNITY IMPACTS
Parts of the Wilmington neighborhood rank among the top 5% of communities with the highest pollution exposure in the state. Another study indicated that while the cancer risk associated with air pollution in Southern California is generally in excess of 1,200 in a million, the risk in some parts of Wilmington are in excess of 2,000 in a million. Wilmington’s nearly 60,000 residents also suffer higher asthma rates, cardiac disease and overall poor health.
REGULATORY RESPONSE
When Warren E&P expanded drilling operations in 2009 and allowed 24 hour drilling, both the City of Los Angeles and the AQMD neglected to foresee potential health impacts, increased truck traffic, dirt and dust covering the community, foul odors, and noise pollution. Warren E&P continues to appease community members with coupons and gas gift cards while compromising public health and safety in Wilmington.
Warren Energy & Power is using known carcinogens and engaging in gravel packing and acidization to extract oil from the Wilmington Oil Field, which contains more than 6,150 wells. Although most oil extracted from the Wilmington Field is pulled from offshore wells, there are a number of active onshore drill sites in close proximity to homes and schools, some as close as 200 feet away. The Warren E&P site operates 24 hours per day.
COMMUNITY IMPACTS
Parts of the Wilmington neighborhood rank among the top 5% of communities with the highest pollution exposure in the state. Another study indicated that while the cancer risk associated with air pollution in Southern California is generally in excess of 1,200 in a million, the risk in some parts of Wilmington are in excess of 2,000 in a million. Wilmington’s nearly 60,000 residents also suffer higher asthma rates, cardiac disease and overall poor health.
REGULATORY RESPONSE
When Warren E&P expanded drilling operations in 2009 and allowed 24 hour drilling, both the City of Los Angeles and the AQMD neglected to foresee potential health impacts, increased truck traffic, dirt and dust covering the community, foul odors, and noise pollution. Warren E&P continues to appease community members with coupons and gas gift cards while compromising public health and safety in Wilmington.
“The company is offering false solutions that distract from the community’s real health problems. A hundred dollar gift card is nice but it won't pay for an emergency room visit.”
ASHLEY HERNANDEZ
Wilmington Youth Organizer, Communities for a Better Environment