Permits to Drill – CREH Buena Vista Hills 4 and 6 Development Project

The CREH Buena Vista Hills 4 and 6 Development Project, managed by California Resources Elk Hills, LLC, involves the construction and production of six new oil wells and associated infrastructure, including well pads, sumps, production pipelines, and electrical power lines. Located on Bureau of Land Management federal land in unincorporated Kern County, California, approximately one mile northwest of Taft within the Buena Vista Oil Field, the project will result in a total land disturbance of 4.32 acres. The project is subject to oversight by the California Department of Conservation's Geologic Energy Management Division and must comply with various federal and state regulations, including Onshore Orders 1, 2, 6, and 7, as well as the Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for low-threat discharges to land. The project timeline includes site preparation from May 1 to May 11, 2025, drilling from May 12 to May 29, 2025, and facilities construction from May 30 to June 3, 2025. Environmental compliance is a primary focus, with a Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration addressing potential impacts on biological, cultural, geological, and tribal resources. Specific requirements include the use of standard environmental colors for above-ground structures, adherence to paleontological mitigation protocols, and a minimum five-year reclamation monitoring period. Additionally, the project must maintain an emergency response plan compatible with Kern County hazard plans and adhere to strict water quality and emissions standards, with potential administrative penalties of up to 10,000 dollars per violation per day for non-compliance with water board orders.