America’s Hidden Oil Giant

By Felicity Bradstock

Originally published September 26, 2022
Updated by Kym Bolado on December 22, 2025

There is one city in the U.S. that’s well known for its cinematography, its food scene, its tech giants, and its tourism, but not so much, for its oil, which is hidden behind false façades and artistic towers. Los Angeles has been hiding a dirty secret for decades, away from the prying eyes of tourists and the super-rich looking to invest in property: it has thousands of oil wells, many of which still produce crude. But how exactly has it kept its dedication to fossil fuel so secret for all these years?

LA is thought to have over 20,000 active, idle, or abandoned oil and gas wells. In fact, around one-third of the city’s residents live within a mile of an active well. In some areas, there is a much higher concentration of oil operations. An estimated 75 percent of active oil or gas wells are located within 500 meters of “sensitive land uses,” which include homes, schools, childcare facilities, parks, and senior residential facilities.

Disproportionate Impact on Certain Neighborhoods

It’s not just the sheer number of oil wells that’s startling, but also where they’re located. Across California—and especially in Los Angeles—oil and gas facilities tend to cluster in communities that are predominantly low-income or home to immigrant populations and people of color. For example, Kern County, responsible for much of California’s oil production (and about 140 miles north of LA), is a region where a significant portion of residents living near oil and gas wells are Hispanic or Latinx, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

The story is similar within LA itself. Neighborhoods like South Los Angeles and Wilmington, which are largely Latinx, find oil wells built uncomfortably close to homes—sometimes just a couple hundred feet away. In contrast, wealthier areas such as West Los Angeles and Wilshire typically see stricter regulations and greater efforts to shield residents from the noise and emissions these wells generate. The effects are tangible: South Los Angeles, for example, consistently reports higher rates of air pollution and asthma when compared to more affluent neighborhoods.

Regulations and enforcement have historically varied across the city, compounding the inequities. In fact, in 2015, community groups took legal action, pressuring the city to address differences in how drilling sites were permitted and managed in different neighborhoods. This push led to new requirements in drilling applications citywide, with an eye toward more equitable protections for all residents.

The Hidden Health Risks of Oil Production

Living close to these hidden oil wells isn’t just an odd quirk of urban planning—it can have serious consequences for residents’ health. Oil and gas extraction sites release a cocktail of air pollutants, some of which are known carcinogens. For Angelenos, that often means exposure to substances that can irritate the throat and sinuses, and sometimes lead to chronic headaches or respiratory problems like asthma.

But the issues don’t stop there. Studies have found that noise from drilling operations can disrupt sleep, leading to fatigue and increased stress. Cardiovascular problems, various skin irritations, and even complications during pregnancy—like premature births—have all been linked to living near these industrial sites. Alarmingly, some of these health impacts have been observed as far as several miles from active wells.

All of this means that, while oil infrastructure in LA may be camouflaged behind murals or disguised as unremarkable buildings, the risk to public health slips through those false fronts just as easily as it slips into the air.

Environmental Inequity in LA’s Oil Landscape

But the placement of these oil facilities isn’t just a matter of geography or geology—it’s long reflected stark social inequities. Across California, oil and gas wells tend to cluster in neighborhoods where residents are predominantly low-income, immigrants, and people of color. In Kern County, for example—the epicenter of the state’s oil industry—more than half of those living within a mile of wells are Hispanic or Latinx.

The pattern repeats itself within Los Angeles. In South Los Angeles and Wilmington, neighborhoods with primarily Latinx populations, oil drilling sites are tucked significantly closer to homes—sometimes less than 300 feet away—compared to the more generous buffers found in affluent areas like West Los Angeles or Wilshire. These same neighborhoods also tend to face looser oversight and fewer requirements for safety equipment or noise reduction.

The consequences can be severe. Higher rates of air pollution and asthma plague these communities, a price not equally paid by wealthier districts. In fact, these disparities became so apparent that, in 2015, advocacy groups took legal action against the city, highlighting differences in how drilling regulations and permits were applied depending on the neighborhood. As a result of the case, the city agreed to apply uniform protections city-wide, but the legacy of uneven impact—and environmental racism—remains deeply woven into Los Angeles’s oil story.

How Far Do Oil Well Health Risks Reach?

But these wells aren’t just architectural curiosities—they bring measurable health impacts that reach surprisingly far from the drill sites. Studies have shown that even at a distance of just 500 feet (about 150 meters), people report symptoms such as throat irritation and sinus trouble. Move out to 1,500 feet (roughly 450 meters), and the likelihood of severe headaches increases. Some research goes even further, connecting certain reproductive risks—including higher rates of preterm birth—to living as far as six miles (almost 10 kilometers) from oil extraction activities.

While proximity is a key factor, these health effects ripple through neighborhoods in ways that most residents may never suspect.

But while oil infrastructure is woven through the city’s landscape—and often just out of view—there’s a growing movement to push it even farther away from people’s homes, schools, and parks. In Los Angeles, community groups have long advocated for stricter “setback” laws: rules that establish a minimum distance between oil wells and places where people live or gather. Their goal has been a 2,500-foot buffer, which, if implemented, would protect the health of hundreds of thousands of Angelenos.

After years of grassroots efforts, the LA City Council has started to make moves toward an outright phase-out of neighborhood drilling rather than just increasing setback distances. If this plan is confirmed, it would mean shutting down existing wells and blocking future drilling in the city over a period still being determined.

To put this in perspective, California’s efforts join a larger national conversation. Colorado, for example, recently established a statewide oil and gas setback of 2,000 feet—the most ambitious in the country. Dallas, Texas, also has one of the strictest local laws with a 1,500-foot requirement, but there is no equivalent statewide rule in Texas. So while LA’s proposed setback would be the largest in the nation, implementation is still on the horizon, whereas Colorado’s buffer is already in place.

Efforts like these reflect a wider recognition that oil and gas operations, while sometimes hidden, have very real consequences for city dwellers—especially when they’re just steps away from daily life.

Strong Public Support for Buffer Zones

It turns out, Californians aren’t just quietly concerned—they’re speaking up in favor of stronger protections. Recent surveys show that a significant majority of residents support establishing buffer zones between oil operations and places where people live, work, learn, or receive care. Statewide, nearly 8 out of 10 Californians back these health and safety setbacks.

The support grows even stronger in regions most affected by oil drilling. In Los Angeles County and the Central Valley, approval for buffer zones climbs even higher—reflecting local awareness of the risks and a clear appetite for change. This broad consensus signals that, as communities grow increasingly aware of fossil fuel dangers in their everyday environments, public demand for meaningful safeguards is only gaining momentum.

Local Action on Oil Well Setbacks

Yet, despite these startling statistics, some local governments in California have managed to take action. Ventura County, for example, recently adopted a rule establishing a 2,500-foot buffer between oil wells and sensitive areas—such as homes and schools. This was part of the county’s sweeping 20-year general plan update, and it now offers additional protections from air pollution for thousands of residents, many of whom live mere blocks from drilling sites. The measure passed by a narrow margin but stands as a rare example of a California community pushing back against urban oil extraction—at least for now.

The Ongoing Push for Buffer Zones

Despite the sheer density of wells—many within shouting distance of homes, schools, and parks—California has been slow to legislate firm protective limits between oil and gas sites and the places people live, work, and learn. One of the most ambitious recent efforts was Assembly Bill 345 (AB345), which aimed to create a statewide buffer zone by requiring oil and gas operations to stay at least 2,500 feet away from hospitals, schools, homes, daycares, and other sensitive sites. This could have shielded hundreds of thousands of Californians from pollutants linked to oil activity.

The bill was the outcome of a lengthy campaign by environmental justice advocates statewide, drawing attention to mounting evidence about health complications in neighborhoods shadowed by wells. Even so, after clearing the state assembly, AB345 was narrowly voted down in the state senate’s Natural Resources Committee—despite significant public support, especially in oil-heavy communities like Los Angeles County and the Central Valley.

That didn’t end the fight. Shortly after AB345’s defeat, Ventura County—one of California’s major oil-producing regions—adopted its own 2,500-foot buffer requirement, becoming the first in the nation to enact such a local policy. That rule is now protecting thousands of residents, most of whom live within easy walking distance of active wells.

Meanwhile, the push for local change has gained momentum elsewhere. Activists in places like Culver City successfully lobbied for a phase-out of drilling in their neighborhoods, and Los Angeles itself is moving toward a similar citywide plan that would go beyond setbacks, aiming to gradually retire and cap existing wells altogether. Across the country, states like Colorado have followed with their own large setbacks, setting new national standards.

For now, even as statewide setback rules remain elusive, the tide appears to be turning at the local level—showing that where state action stalls, communities can, and do, take matters into their own hands.

Assembly Bill 345: A Push for Safer Distances

Enter Assembly Bill 345, a proposal that aimed to bring some much-needed breathing room between California’s oil operations and its most sensitive spots. The bill suggested implementing a statewide minimum distance of 2,500 feet between oil and gas wells and places where people are especially vulnerable—schools, homes, hospitals, and daycare centers made the list.

Had AB345 passed, it wouldn’t just have drawn new lines on a map. According to a 2022 analysis by FracTracker, this buffer would have gradually phased out access to nearly 17,000 active or recently permitted wells across California. In practice, that meant nearly 860,000 residents could have been spared the health risks associated with living, learning, or working next to oil and gas activity.

While some oil wells are located on the outskirts of the city or in areas of low tourism, others are hidden in plain sight. One is the Packard Well site. It was built in 1967 and appears just like a beige office building, although without windows, and it hides 52 oil and gas wells owned by Sentinel Peak Resources. More hidden oil operations are located in the Beverly Center, again managed by Sentinel Peak. Tall walls and foliage hide 54 wells. Elsewhere in the city is the 165-foot “Tower of Hope” of Beverley Hills High. Although the site has been closed since 2017 following several lawsuits centered around the health conditions of residents. Finally, the Cardiff Tower in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood was disguised as a synagogue by Occidental Petroleum in 1966. It was reconstructed in 2001 to house 50 wells, now owned by Pacific Coast Energy.

LA has a long history in oil, and it wasn’t always home to the most famous movie site. Before the bright lights of Hollywood, there was a burgeoning fossil fuel industry, with many seeking a big future in black gold. Edward Doheny is thought to have discovered Los Angeles’s first oil well in 1892, on the present site of the Dodger stadium. Following the construction of the first oil well, 80 more popped up, and in the second year of output, companies pumped 750,000 barrels of crude. This figure rapidly increased, with more and more oil wells being constructed, and by 1930 California was producing around a quarter of the world’s oil – with LA playing a major role.

While many think of LA’s oil industry as a thing of the past, with several operations having moved to more rural locations or offshore, many oil and gas firms instead decided to conceal the reality and keep pumping crude where they thought no one would notice. This is impressive in an urban sprawl full of skyscrapers and hill views, not to mention, around 10 million residents. But operations aren’t just hidden in towers, with oil companies going much further to hide wells from the public – its camouflaged operations are often soundproofed and create huge canvases for murals and artwork.

While the oil industry continues to maintain its operations in LA, crude output has gradually been dropping. California oil field production totaled around 1 million bpd in 1982, which dropped to 338,000 bpd in 2022. Yet, Los Angeles remains the largest urban oil field in the U.S. However, this may no longer be true by the end of the decade as the city council has moved to ban new and existing oil operations.

In January this year, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to ban new oil wells and phase out existing wells. It stated health concerns as the primary reason for the move. It also pointed out that oil wells do not conform to LA land-use requirements, calling to phase out at least 5,200 oil and gas wells. Some will be quickly decommissioned and filled, while others could take up to two decades to go.

The Road Ahead: A Vision for Change

As Los Angeles begins to phase out its long-entrenched oil industry, local advocates and policymakers are painting a bold picture of what the future could hold—not just for LA, but for cities across California. The overarching vision is for a “just transition”—one where oil is not only left in the ground but where the needs of vulnerable communities are prioritized, and those most affected by extraction are supported throughout the shift.

The blueprint is ambitious yet practical. Rather than imagining a simple shutdown, leaders see an opportunity to foster new industries, especially in renewable energy and green technology, while safeguarding livelihoods. This means retraining programs for workers currently employed at oil sites, support for new job creation, and targeted policies to keep energy affordable for lower-income families.

Importantly, the transition isn’t just about economics. It’s about addressing health inequities that have long plagued neighborhoods near drilling sites, from asthma to cancer risks, and striving for cleaner air and safer communities. The hope is that LA—famous for building its fortune on oil and Hollywood glamour alike—can now serve as a model for other cities looking to pivot from old energy economies.

If successful, Los Angeles could not only transform its skyline but also redefine itself as a leader in 21st-century urban living, where economic opportunity, public health, and sustainability go hand in hand.

Steps Toward a Healthier Future

Local organizations and advocacy groups in Los Angeles aren’t stopping at the ban—many are pushing for even stronger protections. For instance, activists have long called for specific setback requirements, proposing a minimum distance of 2,500 feet between oil wells and sensitive sites like homes and schools. Such a setback would shield hundreds of thousands of Angelenos from exposure to pollutants right in their neighborhoods. After years of persistent campaigning, momentum is finally building.

In December, the Los Angeles City Council’s Environment, Climate Change, and Environmental Justice Committee took a significant next step by supporting the drafting of an ordinance to fully phase out oil and gas drilling. This move, once finalized by the full city council, would not only halt new development but also require operators to safely cap existing wells across the city. The precise timeline for this transition is still under discussion, but the intention is clear: the days of drilling in residential zones are numbered.

Community leaders have celebrated this progress, emphasizing that the voices of residents—once largely overlooked—are now helping shape policy. The urgency is heightened by recent wildfire seasons and ongoing concerns about climate change, motivating campaigners to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. They envision a future where LA’s economy pivots toward sustainability, balancing affordable energy with jobs for those in the energy sector, and prioritizing public health above all.

This all signals not just the end of LA’s oil era, but a broader transformation—one aiming to leave oil underground, clear the air for future generations, and reimagine what city living can look like in the heart of Hollywood.

Community Organizing and the Push for Environmental Justice

Growing concerns over the health impacts of urban drilling have spurred robust advocacy from community groups and environmental justice organizations across California. In Los Angeles and beyond, these grassroots coalitions have become central players in calls for reform, pushing policymakers to reconsider how—and where—oil and gas operations are allowed.

A Drive for Equitable Policy

Advocates have long pointed out that the burden of oil and gas infrastructure falls hardest on low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, where wells are often sited perilously close to homes, schools, and healthcare facilities. In places like South Los Angeles and Wilmington, for example, residents have rallied around the fact that drilling sites in their neighborhoods are, on average, much closer to “sensitive land uses” than those in wealthier parts of the city. Air pollution and high asthma rates are persistent concerns, and these inequities have galvanized coalitions demanding change.

Years of Organizing Bring Local Victories

These efforts aren’t just talk—they’ve yielded real results. After environmental justice groups highlighted disparities in how different neighborhoods were treated, Los Angeles was sued over oil permitting practices that activists argued discriminated by geography and race. The resulting settlement pushed the city to implement stricter protections citywide, leveling the regulatory playing field.

Elsewhere, determined campaigns have led to ambitious setback rules—buffer zones designed to shield residents from oil-related pollution. Take Ventura County, where after years of grassroots pressure, the Board of Supervisors passed a 2,500-foot setback, protecting thousands of nearby residents from exposure to toxic emissions. Similarly, Culver City voted to phase out oil extraction on its portion of the Inglewood Oil Field, reflecting the growing power of organized local action.

Statewide Ambitions—And Setbacks

At the state level, these coalitions have sought broader reforms, like Assembly Bill 345, which would have implemented a first-of-its-kind statewide setback. Although this legislation fell short in the Senate, the campaign underscored the persistence and adaptability of advocates—mobilizing polling, public testimony, and detailed mapping to push their cause. Even as some attempts falter at higher levels, local wins have proven that determined communities can move the needle.

The Road Ahead

These organizations know the fight isn’t over. Polling shows strong public support for health and safety buffer zones, especially in California’s oil-producing regions. Recent wildfire seasons and the visibility of public health risks linked to drilling have only strengthened resolve. Now, with Los Angeles moving to phase out oil drilling entirely, advocates see an opportunity not just to close wells, but to reimagine the city’s future—one that values community well-being, affordable energy for all, and a just transition away from fossil fuels.

The Role of Wildfires and Environmental Events in Shaping Policy

Recent years have seen California grappling with wildfire seasons of unprecedented intensity. These natural disasters have brought the climate crisis and its risks into sharp focus for millions of residents. The frequency and severity of wildfires have not only heightened public anxiety but have also added fresh urgency to debates over oil and gas regulations.

For many Angelenos, witnessing smoke-filled skies and the disruption of daily life has changed the conversation. Rather than viewing fossil fuel operations as a background industry, everyday people are now questioning their place within city limits. Wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat have created a sense of immediacy—a recognition that the impacts of climate change are not some distant threat, but a very real and present concern.

As a result, calls for stricter setback laws, rapid phaseouts, and a shift toward cleaner alternatives have moved from activist circles squarely into mainstream policy discussions. This changing public perception is now driving a more robust push for regulatory action, spurring lawmakers to take bolder steps in protecting health and safety throughout California.

Ventura County Sets a New Standard: The 2,500-Foot Setback Ordinance

Ventura County, California’s third-largest oil-producing region, carved its own piece of history not long after the collapse of AB345. Looking to address community health concerns and environmental justice, the county implemented a first-of-its-kind local rule: oil wells must now sit at least 2,500 feet away from homes, schools, and other sensitive areas.

This landmark measure was years in the making. The spark came in 2017, when proposals to add new oil wells—without any formal environmental assessment—alarmed local advocates. Community leaders, including those from groups like Food and Water Watch, sprang into action. Petition drives, robust turnout at public hearings, and persistent advocacy helped sway the conversation. Their efforts paid off in 2019, when—for the first time in a century of drilling—county officials denied a new oil well application.

Building on that momentum, organizers pushed for protective setbacks to be written into Ventura County’s broader planning blueprint. The setback rule was adopted by a narrow 3-2 vote, demonstrating just how much grassroots activism can accomplish. The new ordinance is poised to shield over 8,000 local residents—more than half of whom are Latinx—from the pollutants associated with nearby drilling.

For Ventura County, this isn’t just a policy win; it’s a signal to other California communities that well-organized, persistent effort can bring real change, even when state-level reforms stall.

The Controversy Behind AB345’s Defeat

Despite growing calls to strengthen protections around oil wells, efforts to set statewide buffer zones hit a political roadblock. Assembly Bill 345, which aimed to require setbacks between oil wells and places like homes and schools, passed the State Assembly but failed in the State Senate’s Natural Resources Committee. The bill’s defeat drew criticism from environmental groups and community advocates, who felt legislators dismissed the health concerns at stake.

The hearing itself was highly contentious. Environmental advocates argued they didn’t receive the same platform to present their case as those opposing the measure. Instead, the proceedings moved swiftly toward a vote, especially with pandemic-related legislation next on the agenda. Critics, including Kobi Naseck of Voices in Solidarity Against Oil in Neighborhoods, voiced frustration at what they saw as a predetermined outcome—one that sidelined public health in favor of political expediency.

Financial influence further clouded the process. Reports from Elk Grove News and Jacobin highlighted that the senators blocking AB345 had received substantial contributions from oil and gas companies over the years. This fueled ongoing suspicions about the role of industry money in shaping California’s energy policy and the uphill challenge for those seeking tighter oversight.

While the setback disappointed advocates, it underscored the clout of the fossil fuel industry in Sacramento and hinted that meaningful change would be anything but simple.

Democrat Councilman Paul Krekorian stated, “It doesn’t make sense in the 21st century to continue to produce oil and gas and create the enormous public health impacts that it has in the middle of one of the great cities of the world.” He added, “for the sake of our communities, for the sake of the health of Angelenos, it was important that we made a clear statement that oil and gas production was no longer compatible with the communities of the city of Los Angeles.” He is the most recent in a long line of councilors to push for a ban or curb on oil drilling within the city.

The Role of Political Donations in Drilling Regulation Decisions

But legislative progress has not always been straightforward. When bills proposing stricter drilling regulations come up for debate, the influence of political donations from oil and gas companies becomes apparent. Lawmakers who have been significant recipients of industry funding often prove to be roadblocks to such reforms.

Advocates pushing for stronger setback rules—measures designed to keep drilling away from homes, schools, and other sensitive areas—frequently encounter resistance in key committees. It’s not uncommon for legislators with close financial ties to the industry to use their platforms to argue against these measures, sometimes dismissing them as mere gestures rather than substantive policy.

The interplay of industry contributions and legislative power has been highlighted by watchdog organizations and investigative reports. Analyses from outlets such as Elk Grove News and Jacobin have found a direct connection between campaign donations and voting patterns, with senators who receive sizable contributions from oil and gas interests often siding against increased regulation. Critics argue that this financial influence can tilt the legislative process, sometimes cutting short debates or shifting the focus to other priorities.

While grassroots organizations keep advocating for health and environmental protections, they often find themselves outmatched by industry-backed lobbying. This tension underscores the ongoing debate over the role of money in shaping drilling regulations—and the uphill battle faced by those pushing for meaningful change.

An extensive amount of oil operations continue to be found across Los Angeles, hidden by enormous, innovative structures that aim at separating the city’s fossil fuel industry from residents and tourists. This situation has come out of decades of oil growth. But this may soon change given the recent council ruling on the eventual phasing out of oil wells in the region.

An extensive amount of oil operations continue to be found across Los Angeles, hidden by enormous, innovative structures that aim at separating the city’s fossil fuel industry from residents and tourists. This situation has come out of decades of oil growth. But this may soon change given the recent council ruling on the eventual phasing out of oil wells in the region.