Southern California Gas seeks regulatory approval to resume injection operations at Aliso Canyon storage facility

Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) has sought regulatory approval to resume injection operations through approved wells at its Aliso Canyon storage facility.

SoCalGas has submitted a detailed status report in support of this request on all 114 wells at the facility, addressing the requirements of the California state-mandated Comprehensive Safety Review and also offered additional information urged by state agencies, including a risk management plan for the facility.

SoCalGas president and COO Bret Lane said: "Over the last year we have made extensive physical upgrades and deployed advanced technologies to enhance safety at Aliso Canyon.

"These enhancements will further strengthen the facility's infrastructure, introduce real-time pressure monitoring, and enable improved communications with stakeholders. As we move forward, we remain committed to a continuous improvement process."

Enhancements of infrastructure and technology include the installation of new inner metal tubing of every well approved for injection, in total more than 40 miles of new steel piping, around-the-clock pressure monitoring of all wells in a 24-hour operations centre and an infrared, fence-line methane detection system.

The Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources and the California Public Utilities Commission will confirm that the conditions to resume injection operations at Aliso Canyon have been met. 

SoCalGas has been delivering natural gas to its customers for more than 145 years.

It provides services to 21.6 million consumers connected through 5.9 million metres in more than 500 communities.