Rincon Island (California)

Rincon Island, showing the causeway connecting it to the mainland.

Rincon Island (Spanish: Rincón, meaning "Corner") is a small 2.3-acre artificial island located off Mussel Shoals (also called "Little Rincon") in Ventura County, California on public land leased from the California State Lands Commission (CSLC).[1] The island is situated approximately 3,000 feet (910 m) offshore in 55 feet (17 m) of water. The island was constructed in 1958 for the specific purpose of well drilling and oil and gas production.[2] It is near the seaside communities of Mussel Shoals and La Conchita. The island is connected to the mainland by the Richfield Pier.

The Rincon basin properties cover approximately 1,700 mineral acres (6.9 km2), including a 2.3-acre (9,300 m2) island connected to land by a 2,700-foot (820 m) causeway containing the gas and oil pipelines and facilitating vehicular access. Greka Energy, the last petroleum company operating at the site, faced numerous safety and permit violations.[3][4]

  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rincon Island
  2. ^ ARCO 1991 Filing with State Lands Commission Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Scheibe, John. "State regulators issue order to oil company operating on Rincon Island". Ventura County Star. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  4. ^ Nellis, Stephen (June 24, 2011). "Feds go after oil magnate's operations". Pacific Coast Business Times. Retrieved April 13, 2016.