San Miguelito is a large, productive oil field located in the hills northwest of Ventura in southern California. Discovered in 1931, the site has yielded approximately 125 million barrels of crude oil from an original estimated reserve of 520 million barrels, ranking it 44th in size among oil fields in the state.
The field is situated close to the coastline, with U.S. Highway 101 running along the base of the hills. It is geographically positioned between the larger Ventura Oil Field to the east and the partially offshore Rincon Oil Field to the north and northwest.
Overview
Discovered in 1931, the San Miguelito Oil Field has produced about 125 million barrels of cumulative production out of its original 520 million barrels. It ranks 44th in the state by size. The field is currently operated by CalNRG Operating LLC, which acquired ownership of the field in 2021 after the bankruptcy of California Resources Corporation, a former subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum.
History
Discovery and Production History
The San Miguelito Oil Field was discovered in 1931.
Production statistics indicate that the field has yielded about 125 million barrels of cumulative production out of its original 520 million.
Geographic Context
Ownership and Operation
The field is currently operated by CalNRG Operating LLC.
Ownership and Operation
Highway 101 running past at the base of the hills and is sandwiched between the larger Ventura Oil Field to the east and the Rincon Oil Field, which is partially offshore, to the north and northwest. Discovered in 1931, and with about 125 million barrels of cumulative production out of its original 520 million, it ranks 44th in the state by size.
What is the San Miguelito Oil Field known for?
As a large and currently productive oil field, it holds a notable position within the state's broader petroleum industry. The field is situated close to the coastline, a geographic feature that influences both its geological composition and its accessibility. U.S. Highway 101 runs past the base of the hills where the field is located, providing a major transportation route adjacent to the production area. This proximity to a primary interstate highway facilitates the movement of equipment, personnel, and crude oil, integrating the field into the regional logistics network of Ventura County.
Geographically, the San Miguelito Oil Field is positioned between two other major oil-producing areas. The Rincon Oil Field is described as partially offshore, highlighting the varied topography and geological structures of the coastal oil basin in this section of California. This clustering of oil fields underscores the richness of the subsurface geology in the immediate vicinity of Ventura.
The field was discovered in 1931, marking the beginning of its long history of extraction. Over the decades, it has contributed substantially to the state's oil reserves. Cumulative production from the San Miguelito Oil Field stands at about 125 million barrels. This volume is drawn from an original estimated reserve of 520 million barrels, indicating a significant portion of the initial resource has been extracted while leaving a considerable amount remaining. Based on these production figures, the field ranks 44th in the state of California by size, reflecting its status as a mid-to-large scale operation within the state's hierarchy of oil fields.
Operational control of the San Miguelito Oil Field has seen recent changes in corporate ownership. This company acquired ownership of the field in 2021. The acquisition followed the bankruptcy of California Resources Corporation, which had previously held the field. California Resources Corporation was a former subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum, linking the San Miguelito field to one of the larger players in the global oil market prior to the 2021 transition. These corporate shifts reflect the dynamic nature of the oil industry, where financial restructuring and mergers frequently alter the management of long-standing production sites.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the San Miguelito Oil Field located?
The oil field is located in Ventura County, California, in the hills northwest of the city of Ventura. Highway 101 passing by at the base of the hills.
What is the production history of the San Miguelito Oil Field?
To date, it has produced about 125 million barrels of oil from an original estimate of 520 million barrels.
How large is the San Miguelito Oil Field compared to others in California?
With its cumulative production and original reserves, the San Miguelito Oil Field ranks 44th in size among oil fields in the state of California.
Who currently operates the San Miguelito Oil Field?
This company acquired ownership in 2021 following the bankruptcy of California Resources Corporation, which was a former subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum.
What other oil fields are near San Miguelito?
Summary
San Miguelito is a significant oil field in Ventura County, California, discovered in 1931 and currently operated by CalNRG Operating LLC. It is located near the coast and U.S. Highway 101, situated between the Ventura and Rincon oil fields, and ranks 44th in size in the state with approximately 125 million barrels produced from an original 520 million.