LA County Sues Four Oil Giants Over Toxic Emissions From Idle Inglewood Wells

LA County has taken a hard line against four oil and gas giants, filing an environmental justice lawsuit that accuses them of letting toxic pollutants escape from idle wells in the Inglewood oil field.

The lawsuit and its claims

The Los Angeles County government filed the lawsuit against Sentinel Peak Resources California LLC, Freeport‑McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC, Plains Resources, Inc., and Chevron U.S.A., Inc. The suit was filed on a Wednesday, with the county alleging that the operators allowed toxic pollutants to be released into the air, land and water by failing to adequately decommission and seal inactive oil and gas wells.

The complaint further claims that the companies “unjustly enriched themselves by investing their money elsewhere” without properly decommissioning the wells. In addition, the county is seeking civil penalties of up to $2,500 a day for each well from the current owner of the Inglewood well, Sentinel.

The role of idle wells

More than 25% of the Inglewood oil field are idle or no longer producing gas and oil. Despite being inactive, these wells continue to emit toxins into the surrounding communities. The idle wells have been inactive for at least 23 consecutive months.

In 2023, Culver City and Sentinel Peak Resources reached a settlement that required the company to plug 15 wells by the end of 2027, with at least three wells needing to be capped every calendar year.

Local community impact

The office of LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, whose 2nd district includes South Los Angeles areas, said that more than one million people live within five miles of the well. Homes, apartments and other facilities surround the field.

“Plugging idle oil and gas wells—so they no longer emit toxins into communities that have been on the frontlines of environmental injustice for generations—is not only the right thing to do, it’s the law,” Mitchell said in a statement. “At the very least, oil companies that have long profited from this land must uphold their responsibilities to properly close these wells and ensure they cause no further harm.”

Legal and financial ramifications

The lawsuit is framed as an environmental justice action, targeting the alleged failure of the companies to protect vulnerable communities from harmful emissions. By seeking daily penalties of up to $2,500 per well, the county aims to hold the operators financially accountable for the continued pollution.

The case also highlights the broader issue of how inactive wells are managed across the region and the responsibility of oil companies to mitigate environmental risks.

Past settlements and future expectations

The 2023 settlement with Culver City set a precedent for the county’s approach, mandating a specific number of wells to be capped over a defined period. The current lawsuit expands that scope to four major operators and seeks stricter enforcement through financial penalties.

If the court sides with the county, the companies could face significant daily fines and be required to accelerate decommissioning efforts. The outcome may also influence future regulations on idle well management.

Key Takeaways

• LA County sues Sentinel Peak Resources, Freeport‑McMoRan, Plains Resources and Chevron for toxic emissions from idle wells.
• The lawsuit seeks up to $2,500 in daily penalties per well and claims companies profited while neglecting decommissioning.
• More than one million residents live within five miles of the wells, which have been inactive for at least 23 months.

The case underscores the county’s commitment to protecting local communities from environmental injustice and sets the stage for potential changes in how idle oil wells are handled across Los Angeles.