Chevron Corp. and partners have begun the first direct tankering of Point Arguello field crude from the Santa Barbara Channel off California.
It follows 4 years of controversy between Point Arguello partners and California state and local agencies over tankering in the channel (OGJ, July 19, Newsletter). That dispute was settled this year when the California Coastal Commission issued an interim tankering permit that imposes stringent conditions and expires in 3 years, when a pipeline option is expected to be available.
The move also allows Chevron to boost field production to about 85,000 b/d from about 50,000 b/d and save transportation costs to Los Angeles area refineries. Previously, Chevron had been shipping Point Arguello oil via pipeline--much of which went to the San Francisco Bay area for reshipment via tanker to Los Angeles.
The event still was not without controversy. A flotilla of Greenpeace vessels showed up to protest appearance of the Chevron Oregon tanker in the channel last week in preparation for the first cargo lifting from the Gaviota marine terminal off Santa Barbara County.
Built in 1975, the 39,218 dwt vessel can carry 268,979 bbl of crude. The U.S. flag tanker, with a length of 651 ft, beam of 96 ft, and draft of 37 ft, was built bi, FMC Corp. as the first of five double hull tankers built in Oregon for owner Chevron U.S.A. Inc. during 1975-77.
Copyright 1993 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
