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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Res 1620 - 1991-04-17 - ~ " . . RESOLUTION NUMBER 1620 A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH APPROVING THE INSTALLATION OF A GAS DRYING UNIT AT THE OIL ISLAND OIL EXTRACTION FACILITY LOCATED WITHIN THE ALAMITOS LEASE, 2001 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, SEAL BEACH (BREITBURN ENERGY CORPORATION) THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES HEREBY RESOLVE: WHEREAS, on February 7, 1991, Randall Breitenbach filed an application with the Department of Development Services for Conditional Use permit 2-91, requesting to install a gas drying unit at the oil Island oil extraction facility located within the Alamitos Lease, Seal Beach. The gas drying unit will filter out precipitates present in the natural gas produced on site. The "dried" gas will then be piped directly into the Southern California Gas company's system via existing gas lines for consumption by consumers; and WHEREAS, the subject property, legally defined as Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, of Tract 893, as recorded in Book 27, Pages 23 and 24 of Miscellaneous Maps, all in the City of Seal Beach, Records of Orange county, California, is located within the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, on the northerly side of Pacific Coast Highway between Seal Beach Boulevard and Phillips str~et, Surfside; and WHEREAS, the subject property is located more than 1,000 feet from the nearest residence; and WHEREAS, the subject property is surrounded on all sides by the Seal Beach Naval Weapons station and is located within the Seal Beach National wildlife Preserve; and WHEREAS, the subject property, located within the Alamitos Lease oil production area has been in continuous production for over 36 years and contains 26 existing wells broken down as follows: 19 oil Producing Wells, 2 Water Injection Wells, 1 Well Proposed for Rework and 4 Shut-in Wells Capable of Extraction; and WHEREAS, the proposed unit at 8 feet in height with a 9'-8" high tower (three phase separator V-2) and 21 foot high stabilizer will be lower in height than the adjacent tanks and wells and should not therefore create any visual impacts off of the site. Additionally, the Navy is requiring the proposed unit be painted beige to match all existing machinery; and WHEREAS, in conjunction with a proposal to redrill an existing well, which is currently before the City, the applicants are now in the process of converting all of the existing well engines and most of the other on-site engines from natural gas burning to electric motors. This project will reduce on-site emissions by approximately 90% and reduce ambient noise levels by 30-40%. This reduction in noise levels will provide a safer habitat for surrounding wildlife by allowing them to more easily hear predators; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed Public Hearing on April 17, 1991 to consider conditional Use Permit 2-91; and C:\WPS1\CUP\CUP91--2.RES " . . .. Planning Commission Resolution No. 1620 page 2 WHEREAS, the Planning Commission makes the following findings: 1. The proposed gas drying unit will be installed to meet all State Division of Oil and Gas regulations. 2. The installation of a gas drying unit will lessen the likelihood that flaring of natural gas will occur, since the dried gas will be piped directly into the Southern California Gas system and will therefore involve less total travelling distance for much of the gas produced. 3. The subject property, located within the Alamitos Lease oil production area has been in continuous production with an excellent safety record for over 36 years. 4. The unit will operate at the same pressure as Southern California Gas lines and operate at a noise level below the site's current noise levels. 5. The system will be thoroughly inspected for leaks each month in accordance with SCAQMD standards and fitted with pressure regulated kill switches and relief valves to ensure rapid detection of any leaks. 6. The applicants are now in the process of converting all of the existing well engines and most of the other on-site engines from natural gas burning to electric motors. This project will reduce on-site emissions by approximately 90% and reduce ambient noise levels by 30-40%. This reduction in noise levels will provide a safer habitat for surrounding wildlife by allowing them to more easily hear predators. 7. The unit at 8 feet in height with a 9' -8" high tower (three phase separator V-2) and 21 foot high stabilizer will be lower in height than the adjacent tanks and wells and should not therefore create any visual impacts off of the site. Additionally, the Navy is requiring the proposed unit be painted beige to meet all existing machinery. 8. The proposed gas drying unit will eliminate the need for raw gas to be piped through the city to be dried in Lomita. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning commission of the city of Seal Beach does hereby approve CUP 2-91, subject to the following conditions: 1. CUP 2-91 is approved for the installation of a gas drying unit at the oil Island oil extraction facility located within the Alamitos Lease, Seal Beach (2001 Pacific Coast Highway). 2. The applicants shall provide the City with a sound survey taken from the wildlife preserve adjacent to the proposed unit indicating noise levels prior to, and after, the commencement of gas drying operations. The applicants shall screen the C:\WPS1\CUP\CUP91--2.RES . . .. Planning Commission Resolution No. 1620 Page 3 unit from the adjacent wildlife preserve if noise levels increase greater than 5 db(A). Final approval will not be granted until noise levels meet this criteria. 3. The proposed gas drying unit, including all installation and maintenance shall conform to State Division of Oil and Gas and South Coast Air Quality Management District regulations. 4. The applicant shall provide the City with a scaled map indicating the tie-in point with Southern California Gas and all gas pipelines leading to said tie-in point prior to final approval. Said map will be included with the City's map library of oil and gas line information. 5. The proposed gas drying unit shall be painted beige in color to match existing machinery on site. 6. The applicants shall pay required Department of Fish and Game fees with the Clerk of the County of Orange in conjunction with the adoption of Negative Declaration 3-91. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Planning Commission of the City of Seal Beach at a meeting thereof held on the 17th day of April, 1991, by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners Fife. Sharp. Orsi ni. Dahlman NOES: Commissioners ABSENT: Commissioners P~~ c~t: Planning Commission - e Whittenberg, Secretary P.anning Commission BCC:bc C:\WP51\CUP\CUP91--2.RES