Fran Pavley
The top executives from Occidental Petroleum Corp., Chevron Corp. and Halliburton Co. have been invited to testify at the California State Capitol on June 18 about hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) and the use of acids as an alternative to fracking. They will join state regulators, members of environmental organizations and other stakeholders at a hearing of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.
Fracking, which is the injection of water, sand and chemicals underground to crack rock formations to free up oil and gas, has been a subject of discussion in the California Legislature in recent months. Several bills are under consideration, including SB 4 by Natural Resources and Water Committee Chair Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, which would require permits, notice, disclosure of chemical and an independent scientific study, among other provisions.
Recently, concerns have arisen about other forms of oil well stimulation such as acidizing, which involves the use of hydrofluoric, hydrochloric and other acids to dissolve rock formations. Industry representatives have stated acid could be among the most important tools for extracting oil from California’s Monterey Shale, but little information has been disclosed to regulators, the Legislature and the public about its use.
Pavley represents California’s 27th Senate District, which includes about half of the Santa Clarita Valley.
Oil Industry Execs to Talk Fracking with Pavley Panel
