The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has begun an environmental review for a proposal to carry out hydraulic fracturing on 16 existing wells at Platform Gilda, located 8.8 miles off the coast of Ventura County, California.
Platform Gilda has operated since its installation in 1981 and is managed by DCOR. The platform extracts oil and gas from several geologic formations in the Santa Clara Unit.
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The BOEM issued a notice of intent (NoI) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed update to the Santa Clara unit development and production plan after completing an initial review of DCOR’s submission.
The environmental analysis will evaluate the potential impacts of well stimulation treatments including hydraulic fracturing, as part of drilling activities at the platform.
The BOEM is conducting the review under the Department of the Interior’s Alternative Arrangements for NEPA Compliance During a National Energy Emergency.
These procedures require preparation of an EIS within approximately 28 days from the publication of an NoI.
BOEM acting director Matt Giacona said: “This NEPA [National Environmental Policy Act] analysis is essential to informing our decision on the proposed update to the development plan. Recent improvements made by the Department to the NEPA process are helping BOEM deliver timely and transparent environmental reviews that provide greater certainty for energy development, support reliable domestic energy supplies and help keep energy affordable for American consumers while ensuring potential environmental impacts are fully evaluated.”
The notice launches a ten-day comment period and calls for input from interested parties and potential cooperating agencies. The BOEM will hold a virtual public scoping meeting on 24 March as part of its efforts to gather further public feedback.
According to data from the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, as of 31 December 2025, Platform Gilda has produced roughly 42.62 million barrels (mbbl) of oil and 51.7 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas.
BOEM’s NoI signals the start of a scoping process intended to identify significant issues and possible alternatives for consideration within the EIS.
DCOR updated its development and production plan to include well stimulation activities at Platform Gilda in order to maintain current offshore production levels.
In line with federal regulations, the BOEM completed its review and, last month, confirmed the updated plan was complete before initiating compliance procedures that include developing the required NEPA documentation.
Prior to this, the BOEM announced its intention to conduct a third offshore oil and gas lease sale as stipulated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
