Notorious South L.A. Oil Wells Finally Plugged After Decades of Community Pressure

California governor announces closure of AllenCo Energy drill site near St. Vincent Elementary School after years of hazardous gas leaks and spills.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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After years of community outcry over noxious fumes, oil spills, and health issues from the AllenCo Energy drill site in University Park, Los Angeles, California state regulators have permanently closed and plugged all 21 oil wells at the two-acre site. The drill site, located across the street from apartment buildings and less than 1,000 feet from St. Vincent School, had been leaking dangerous gases and chemicals for decades despite repeated violations and orders to fix the problems.

Why it matters

The closure of the AllenCo drill site represents a major victory for the local community, which had long campaigned to shut down the hazardous operation. The site's poor maintenance and repeated environmental violations had exposed nearby residents, including schoolchildren, to harmful fumes and spills for years. This case highlights the broader issue of aging, abandoned oil and gas infrastructure across California that continues to threaten public health and the environment, even as the state works to transition away from fossil fuels.

The details

California's Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) used federal funding to permanently plug all 21 oil wells at the AllenCo Energy site after the company repeatedly failed to comply with orders to seal the wells. The two-acre drill site, owned by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, had been leasing the land to various oil companies since the 1950s. Under AllenCo's operation since 2009, the site experienced a sharp increase in oil production but a failure to properly maintain equipment, leading to numerous oil spills and noxious gas leaks that sickened nearby residents and students.

  • In 2013, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials became sick while inspecting the site.
  • In 2020, CalGEM ordered AllenCo to plug the wells, but the company ignored the order.
  • In 2022, CalGEM officials arrived on site with a court order and used bolt cutters to enter and depressurize the poorly maintained oil wells.
  • This month, CalGEM finished capping the remaining unplugged wells with help from federal funding.

The players

Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM)

California's state oil and gas regulator that ordered AllenCo to plug the hazardous wells and oversaw the final closure of the site.

AllenCo Energy

The oil company that operated the drill site in University Park since 2009, drastically increasing production but failing to properly maintain equipment and comply with environmental regulations.

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

The owner of the land where the AllenCo drill site was located, having leased the property to various oil companies since the 1950s.

St. Vincent School

An elementary school located less than 1,000 feet from the hazardous AllenCo drill site, whose students and staff were exposed to the noxious fumes and spills for years.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who announced the permanent closure of the AllenCo drill site, calling it a "monumental achievement" for the local community.

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What they’re saying

“This is a monumental achievement for the community who have endured an array of health issues and corporate stalling tactics for far too long. I applaud the tireless work of community activists who partnered with local and state agencies to finish the job and improve the health and safety of this community. This is a win for all Californians.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (latimes.com)

“This is welcome news that the surrounding community deserves, but there is much more work to be done at a much faster pace. There are still thousands of unplugged and hazardous idle wells threatening communities across the state, and our legislators and regulators should force polluters, not taxpayers, to pay to clean up these dangerous sites.”

— Cooper Kass, Attorney, Center for Biological Diversity's Climate Law Institute (latimes.com)

What’s next

California regulators say they will continue identifying and permanently capping high-risk oil and gas wells across the state, as tens of thousands of unproductive and unplugged wells remain abandoned and leaking potentially explosive methane or toxic chemicals.

The takeaway

The closure of the notorious AllenCo drill site in South Los Angeles is a major victory for the local community, but it also highlights the broader challenge California faces in addressing the thousands of hazardous, abandoned oil and gas wells that continue to threaten public health and the environment. Regulators and lawmakers must hold polluters accountable and ensure communities impacted by decades of fossil fuel extraction do not have to bear the burden of expensive cleanups.