# CALIFORNIA RESOURCES VENTURA BASIN — Warning Letter

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** CPF 520160028W
- **title:** CALIFORNIA RESOURCES VENTURA BASIN — Warning Letter
- **source type:** enforcement
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** historical
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2016-12-22
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** CLOSED warning letter citing 192.613(a).
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520160028w.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520160028w.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-enforcement-520160028w
- **source url:** https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-data/case/520160028W
**body:**

Warning Letter involving CALIFORNIA RESOURCES VENTURA BASIN. PHMSA's enforcement data identifies the cited regulation as 192.613(a). The case was opened on 2016-12-22 and is reported as closed as of 2016-12-22. Open the official case record for notices, responses, orders, and the latest status.

Official case documents:

520160028W_Operator Response to Notice_02092017.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520160028W/520160028W_Operator%20Response%20to%20Notice_02092017.pdf

520160028W_Warning Letter_12222016.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520160028W/520160028W_Warning%20Letter_12222016.pdf

520160028W_Warning Letter_12222016_text.pdf: https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/enforcement-documents/520160028W/520160028W_Warning%20Letter_12222016_text.pdf

520160028W_Warning Letter_12222016_text.pdf

WARNING LETTER
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
December 22, 2016
Mr. Charlie Plant
VP Operations
California Resources Corporation
111 W. Ocean Blvd, Suite 800
Long Beach, CA 90802
CPF 5-2016-0028W
Dear Mr. Plant:
On July 25, 2016, a representative of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA), pursuant to Chapter 601 of 49 United States Code, inspected your
Santa Clara Valley Pipeline system in Ventura, California.
As a result of the inspection, it appears that you have committed a probable violation of the
Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The item inspected and
the probable violation is:
1. §192.613 Continuing surveillance
(a) Each operator shall have a procedure for continuing surveillance of its
facilities to determine and take appropriate action concerning changes in
class location, failures, leakage history, corrosion, substantial changes in
cathodic protection requirements, and other unusual operations and
maintenance conditions.
California Resources Corporation (CRC) failed to take appropriate action concerning unusual
maintenance condition of the Santa Clara River pipeline crossing in Ventura. During the field



inspection of your pipeline facilities in Ventura, it was noted that high grass, weeds, brushes,
and tall trees obstructed visual observation of the pipeline right-of-way (ROW) crossing the
Santa Clara River. The river was dry, but it would be very difficult to try to walk down to the
pipeline crossing ROW. California Resources Corporation (CRC) personnel said it is about
1000 feet wide for the crossing. Same condition was observed from both sides of the river
crossing at the line marker on each side of the river.
Under 49 United States Code, § 60122, you are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed
$200,000 per violation per day the violation persists up to a maximum of $2,000,000 for a
related series of violations. For violations occurring prior to January 4, 2012, the maximum
penalty may not exceed $100,000 per violation per day, with a maximum penalty not to
exceed $1,000,000 for a related series of violations. We have reviewed the circumstances
and supporting documents involved in this case, and have decided not to conduct additional
enforcement action or penalty assessment proceedings at this time. We advise you to correct
the item identified in this letter. Failure to do so will result in CRC being subject to additional
enforcement action.
No reply to this letter is required. If you choose to reply, in your correspondence please refer
to CPF 5-2016-0028W. Be advised that all material you submit in response to this
enforcement action is subject to being made publicly available. If you believe that any
portion of your responsive material qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C. 552(b),
along with the complete original document you must provide a second copy of the document
with the portions you believe qualify for confidential treatment redacted and an explanation of
why you believe the redacted information qualifies for confidential treatment under 5 U.S.C.
552(b).
Sincerely,
Chris Hoidal
Director, Western Region
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
cc: PHP-60 Compliance Registry
PHP-500 P. Nguyen (#153487)
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