The Los Angeles City Council last week directed city staff to immediately pursue the hiring of a petroleum administrator, a position that has been left vacant for years. The new hire would oversee exploration and production (E&P) activity, which has increased in many old oilfields spread around the city but has also raised the ire of nearby residents. In the past year, the city has been sued and political leaders subjected to demonstrations by angry residents related to several drilling sites within shadows of the central city (see Daily GPI, Jan. 29; Nov. 10, 2015).

At a time of heightened focus on natural gas storage prompted by the recent four-month saga in Southern California (see Daily GPI, Feb. 1), the board of the American Gas Association (AGA) has approved an update in the industry’s nationwide commitment to enhancing safety in both underground storage and pipeline operations. The move follows AGA’s active participation in the development of American Petroleum Institute standards (RP 1170 and 1171) and congressional mandates in the Safe Pipes Act (S 2276), both of which cover storage. AGA directors wanted to reiterate the gas distribution sector’s commitment to those upgraded safety approaches, an AGA spokesperson said.