HomeMy WebLinkAboutNoxious GasCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
MEMORANDUM: From City Clerk
TO .............. File - -_ February 2
---------- -------------------------------
Yolanda (Hugh Coffin's secretary) called to say that the trial date on this has
been postponed to November 6, 1978.
Doris
Reply wanted
Reply not necessary p
Ne -as
e 78
AY OF NEWPORTBEACH
MEMORANDUM: FrOM ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
DORIS GEORGE, City Clerk January 23 78
TO..... . ..... ... ..... . .... _ ............................. ..._.., .. ................... 1 19 ......._
RE: Employers Casualty (Bertuleit) v.
City of Newport Beach
In regards to the above litigation, no matter when the trial
is held, we will need to have available certain information
regarding the action of the City Council dealing with the
construction and installation of the gas burners at the
entrance to Balboa Coves. It is my information that in the
early 1970's but, perhaps in the late 1960's, the City Council
had several meetings wherein the discussion of the Balboa
Coves odor problem was held. If you could review the City
Council minutes which relate to the Balboa Coves odor problem
and the installation of the gas burners, partially paid for
by the City, information regarding the dates of the City
Council meetings, supplemental staff reports, and council actions
would be quite helpful in preparing our defense in this
lawsuit.
Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact
me.
HRC:yz
Reply wanted Q
Reply not neceaeary
He .m
By......
i •
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
OFFICE OF
CITY ATTORNEY
TO: Robert L. Wynn, City Manager January 23, 1978
Joe Devlin, Director /Public Works
Ken Perry, Assistant City Engineer
Doris George, City Clerk
FROM: Assistant City Attorney
SUBJECT: Employers Casualty ( Bertuleit) v.
City of Newport Beach
All of you were served with a Subpoena in regards to the above
litigation, the trial to commence on February 6, 1978. We
were advised today that the attorney representing the Bertuleits
and Employers Casualty has filed a motion to be relieved as
counsel for the Bertuleits and to continue the trial date.
This is based upon an obvious conflict of interest he had in
representing both the insured and the insurance company.
We are of the opinion that the chances are very good the court
will grant the motion to continue the trial. Therefore, it
appears it will not be necessary for you to be witnesses at
the trial during the first week in February. The motion will
be heard on February 2, 1978 and we will advise you that day
as to the outcome.
If you have any questions regarding this, please don't hesitate
to contact me. In j _
1. V VL. r,. I . 1 -
Assistant City Attorney
HRC:ys
i
I �
i
RECE
' FOR..
I
------------------------------ -
CI *OF NEWPORT BEACH! • RECEIPT I
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92663 No. 76640
1 —,?_
19 s (I
D?TE
I:cco��n'r �c .nn�o t,nT
DEPARTMENT
BY '
.�.....�. _._ :.�..�..�. ------------
• .NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONEIA"BER
OF ATTORNEY(S)
YUSIM, CASSIDY, STEIN & HANGER
838.3 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 330
Beverly Hills, California 902.11
(213) 653 -6300
ATTORNEY(S) FOR plaintiffs.
t ou are on c DO NOT COME
to court unt' meone from
If %ro:; -,uve a;, q:.:estions per -
to t Call
Q
' h`,, '-`.tv------------------•----
at 6 -6200
YUSIM, CASSID't, STEIN, HANGER
OURFILE: -----------------------------------------
�-C /'
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA "
FOR THE COUNTY OF ORANGE
EMPLOYERS CASUALTY COMPANY, etal„
Plaintiff(s)
vs
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, etal.,
Defendant(s)
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE. OF CALIFORNIA,
CASE NUMBER
216 480
SUBPOENA
Duces Tecum
To...... S,,,.,,C ty..,C.lerk.,....,as... custodian... of....records....for..Ne.wport_, Beach
................ ity....C1erk,'.,s... Office.,- .,33,0:0 ... Newport,,.Bouleva,rd Newport ,,,_Beach,,.,..Calif..,.,,
YOU ARE COMMANDED to appear and attend a session of the above entitled court to be held
On ... Feb ........ ........ 1. 9.7.$ .. ............................... at 9..:. 0.0...a.. , m., in the courtroom ....... pf ... Dpartment.... 1
(DATE) ITIMEI F.g..N..Y...I .......................
of said court, at.,'., ,,.Civic Center Drive West i y Santa,,.. Ana
.............. ........ ......E C........., m the city oE.. .,.................
ITXE COVXTXOUSE. ON STgTE OiXEP LOCq T10 N�OF TXE COVRTI
California, then and there to testify as a witness produced by the.. P1. .iAtlffS .. ..... ..... .... in the above
entitled action, now pending in said court. (PLA,NTI FF /OE FENOANT)
YOU ARE FURTHER REQUIRED to bring with you and produce, at said time and place, the books,
papers and documents or other things in your possession or under your control, described in the copy of the decla-
ration for this subpoena duces tecum on the reverse hereof, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Disobedience to this subpoena may punished as a contempt by the above- entitled Court, and for such
disobedience you will also forfeit the party aggrieved the sum of one hundred dollars (SI00.00) and all damages which
such party may sustain by your failure to attend as hereinabove required. - ...
a
WILLIAM E. S"C JOHN
Q%. •Ir 1T •,.` County Clerk and Clerk of the Superior Court of the
Ca.,• .H State of California, in and for the County of Orange
TRUST DEPOSIT FOR APPEARANCE OF WITNESS 5 ................... ............................... AS PER RECEIPT NO.....
DATE January 17, 1978. WILLIAM E. ST JOHN, Clerk
By................................................................................ ............................... DEPUTY
THIS SUBPOENA IS VALID IF SERVED UPON A M1i F.MBF-R OF THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL., .A SHERIFF, DEPUTY
SHERIFF, MARSHAL, DEPUTY MARSHAL, OR 'A CITY POLICEMAN WHEN REQUIRED TO ATTEND PURSUANT TO SECTIONS
68097.1 to 68097.4 INCLUSIVE, COVERNAIENT CODE ONLY WHEN TRUST DEPOSIT FOR APPEARANCE ENDORSED ,ABOVE,
T�^ FOtez -toy �' /i8 SUBPOENA Duces Tecum t.
.
DE&RATION FOR SURPOFNA DUCES OWN]
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF ORANGE
The undersigned states: That he is attorney of record for Plaintiff /Defendant in the above entitled action, that
said cause was duly set dorm for trial.... February 6.. .............._.._,.._ _. at .......... 'Q. _. a.m. :...:.. _...
Maur„ - a..v.E:a ...._t�......:._......
in Department ........ :. 1_........................ ................ ......_........................ of the above entitled Court. .
That _LAURA... LAGG IOS .c... C 1 ty... C l ex'k...... ........ .........
has in his possession or under his control the following documents:
(Designate anti name ibe exac( things to be produced.)
"West Newport Gas Odor File," including but not limited to,
all Minutes of City Council, all _ inter -. department
reports or memos; all letters and complaints made by residents of
the West Newport Beach area related to the gas and /or oil
leakage problem in West Newport Beach, including, but not limited
to Balboa Coves for the period of 1967 to the Present.
That said books, papers, . and documents or other things are material . to the proper presentation of his case, . and good
cause exists for their production by reason of the following facts:
Plaintiffs cannot present this case without -the above records, as
they are relevant to the issues involved in this litigation.
Executed .... Janua..TY .... t ..... 1978 ........ . 19 ............... at.. Beverly Hills,. California.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct..
(.Sigmture eclat
PROOF OF SERVICE S PHEN COOPER3MITH
I served the foregoing Subpoena Duces Tecum by showing the original thereof to each of the following named .
persons, and delivering a copy thereof together with 'a copy of the Affidavit /Certificate /Declaration upon which said
Subpoena Daces Tecum was issued, to each of said persons, personally, on the date and place set forth .opposite
each name, and I offered to each of said persons at the same time, if .demanded by such person as set forth herein-
after, and paid the fees to which such person is entitled for travel to and from the place designated, and one day's
attendance.. there, to wit: - -
Fees Demaaded?
Name of Person Served Address 1['here ISr,,rd Date of Service (Yes /No) Fees Paid
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on, .............. ...... _..... ...... ............... ..., at..........
, California.
By
C'.TY CW 4dkWKIRT 6CACH
•
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
March 28, 1977
COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM NO
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: NOXIOUS GAS SEEPAGE CONTROL PROGRAM
CALTRANS has executed a document that authorizes an expenditure
of $10,000, or 50% of the actual cost, to do certain work in controlling
the noxious gas seepage problem in the Balboa Coves /West Newport area.
This contribution will represent approximately 50% of the cost of the work
to be accomplished. The proposed work to be accomplished is to construct
a gathering system for all three producing vents and placing a vacuum
pump at a common point. The vacuum pump would increase production from
all three producing wells by approximately 15 %, or 27,000 cu. ft. per day.
This increased production would continue to be flared and would have the
desired effect of reducing the reservoir more rapidly, and also permit
the City to more accurately gauge the extent of underground gas reservoir.
The gas burned should not violate present air quality standards since
collectively it consists of less than the maximum 800 parts per million
of pollutants.
It is currently estimated that this work will cost approximately
$18,000 and the monthly costs to operate this system would be $170.00 per
month. This would represent the first stage in the ultimate solution,
which is to collect the gas and transmit it to a prospective buyer.
desired.
RLW:mm
Additional data can be explained at the Council meeting if
( �
W
ROBERT L.
WYNN
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACIr AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND
CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH AND THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTA-
TION,FOR SHARING THE GEOLOGIC TESTING AND
INVESTIGATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE NOXIOUS GAS
SEEPAGE CONTROL PROBLEM IN WEST NEWPORT
WHEREAS, there has been presented to the City Council
of the City of Newport Beach a Cooperative Agreement between
the City of Newport Beach and the State of California, Depart-
ment of Transportation, for sharing the geologic testing and
investigation in connection with the noxious gas seepage
control problem in West Newport; and
WHEREAS,,the City Council has reviewed the terms and
conditions of said agreement and finds them to be satisfactory
and that it would be in the best interest of the City to
authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute said agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council
of the City of Newport Beach that said agreement above described
is approved, and the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized
and directed to execute the same on behalf of the City of
Newport Beach.
ADOPTED this 28th
ATTEST:
City Clerk
day of March 1 1977.
DDO/bc
3/28/77
0
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
January 24, 1977
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: NOXIOUS GAS SEEPAGE CONTROL PROGRAM
Study Session
Agenda item
Previous verbal and written reports to the Council and the final report
attached to this memo provide the background and progress on the exploratory
program undertaken to identify and reduce the noxious gas problem in
the western portion of the City. The intent of this Memorandum is to
present the current status and offer alternatives to the Council for
the disposition of the reservoirs of gas which have been located. To
summarize the present status of the program, five vent holes were drilled
on the Cagney Tract. Of the five, three are producing gas at the rate
of 183,000 cubic feet per day. These three wells are being "flared" or
burned into the atmosphere at the present time. By initial calculation,
this method of disposing of the gas should have depleted the reservoirs
in a relatively short period of time. However, only one of the vent
holes ( #3) has shown any decrease in the amount of gas produced - from
39,000 cu. ft. /day to 34,000 cu. ft. /day -over a 5 month period of time.
By a process of shutting in each of the holes, it has been indicated
that #3 is venting a different reservoir from either #1 or #5 but that
#1 and #5 are venting the same reservoir. Since no decrease in production
of #1 and #5 has occurred, the extent of the reservoir being tapped by
#1 and #5 cannot be determined. It becomes necessary then to at least
consider alternate methods of disposing of the gas. it is the staff's
opinion and the opinion of both the contracting geologist and the City's
consultant that there are two additional alternatives which should be
considered.
INCREASE THE PRODUCTION RATE AND CONTINUE TO BURN THE GAS
By constructing a gathering system for all 3 producing vents and placing
a vacuum pump at the common point, production can be increased by
approximately 15% or 27,000 cubic feet per day. This increased
production can continue to be flared and, of course, has the desired
effect of reducing the reservoir more rapidly. The gas burned should
not violate present air quality standards since collectively it consists
of less than the maximum 800 parts per million of pollutants. A further
advantage of this method is that this exact procedure will have to be
used when the reservoirs have been depleted to the point that very
little gas is being vented in order that all the gas can be extracted
-2- 0
and none is left to seep to the surface. Costs for this alternative
are estimated at $18,000 plus the monthly cost for electricity to power
the pump, which would be quite nominal ($170 per month). Disadvantages
of this alternative include a waste of a source of energy which could be
put to productive use and a prohibition against use.of the land for any
other purpose for an unknown period of time.
COLLECT THE GAS NOW PRODUCED AND TRANSMIT
T TO A PO ETV BU
The gas produced from the three holes has a value in certain industries.
While the BTU rating is about half that of gas used in homes, it does
burn and when mixed with gas with a higher BTU is suitable for a number
of uses particularly in the oil industry. In preliminary discussions
with the General Crude Oil Company for example, similar gas is purchased
by them from the sewage plant near the Santa Ana River, mixed with
other gas, and used in their reactors and heaters. General Crude has
indicated a willingness to purchase the gas now being produced on the
Cagney Tract subject to delivery of that gas to their property line in
West Newport. The attachment to this memo contains estimates prepared by
the Public Works Department indicating an initial cost of $70,000 to $78,000
to install a system necessary to deliver the gas to the desired point. In
addition, the compressor would require a motor rated at 50 -60 horsepower
(versus 7� -10 HP for a vacuum pump) and therefore the expenditure of a
considerable amount of money in electrical charges, now estimated at
approximately $1,000 per month. Using the current price of $.465 per
1000 cubic feet for gas of the BTU being produced, approximately $2,500
per month would be realized from the sale of the 5,490,000 cubic feet
of gas produced each month, resulting in a net of $1,500 per month which
could be used to amortize the initial costs of $70,000 to $78,000.
The staff has had preliminary discussions with the State Department
of Transportation concerning this alternative. It is our belief that
the State would be agreeable to sharing the costs and receipts on
a 50 -50 basis, thereby reducing the initial outlay for the City; or
the State would grant all revenue to the City provided the City finance
all the required construction. Before going into final negotiations
with the State, direction from the Council is being sought by the
staff on which arrangement is favored. The major problem with
collecting the gas for sale to General Crude lies in the inability
to determine the volume of gas remaining in the reservoirs. It is
possible that prior to completing construction of the pipeline,
volume would begin to decrease and the extent of the reservoir can
be calculated. If that information indicated depletion of the
reservoir in a relatively short period of time, this alternative
would not be feasible. If, however, volume does not decrease or
decreases very little, indicating a reservoir of considerable capacity,
then this option would have more merit in the staff's opinion. If
the Council believes that the gas and energy from this gas should be
-3-
collected and sold for productive use, the staff favors a 50 -50
arrangement with the State.
The two options listed could be combined and phased into operation
depending on data obtained during the period the City is awaiting a
Coastal Zone permit for construction of the pipeline which is estimated
to take at least 60 -90 days. The first phase of the operation would
include construction of the gathering system and installation of the
vacuum pump. The increased volume would be flared and measurements
would be taken to determine any change in the rate of production.
When the coastal permit is received, a decision can be made whether
or not to proceed with the second phase, i.e., construction of the
pipeline and purchase of the compressor. Delivery of the compressor
will take another 90 days during which the gas will continue to be
flared. Prior to awarding a contract for construction of the pipeline
and installation of the compressor, the periodic measurements which
will be taken will indicate which course of action should be followed.
It is possible, of course, if the Council should desire to proceed with
the alternative of selling the gas to General Crude Oil Co. that the
two 90 -day waiting periods (Coastal Zone Permit and ordering the
compressor) could be coincidental thereby reducing the time element.
The only disadvantage, in the staff's opinion, is again the unknown
element of the size of the gas reservoir.
Attached to this memo is the final report from the contracting geologist
on the exploration phase which outlines the technical details of the
program. The report of 15 September 1976 has been updated by appending
pages 9 -14 and two additional well reports.
Robert L. Wynn
City Manager
RLW:kb
Attachments
TO; CITY MANAGER
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: NATURAL GAS RECOVERY AND DELIVERY SYSTEM
•
January 7, 1977
Attached are sketches indicating two possible routes for a proposed
4" natural gas transmission line from the gas field in the Cagney Tract to the
General Crude Oil Company's lease in the Banning Tract,
The cost of the gas collection system, compressor, and electrical ser-
vice will be the same under either plan, The transmission main in Plan "A" follows
the Coast Highway crossing Superior Avenue through an existing State storm drain.
The transmission main in Plan "B" runs up the face of the bluff, along the bound-
ary of the Versailles property to Superior Avenue, across Superior Avenue, and
along the southerly boundary of Newport Crest to the General Crude Oil Company
lease.
Following are preliminary estimates for each of the plans:
PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE
Plan "A" Plan "B"
GATHERING SYSTEM
1100 L.F. 4" Pipe @ $3.00 /L.F. $3,300
Valves, Fittings, Etc. @ 500
Installation 2,200
O.H. & Profit (15% x 60.00) _ $ 900
Subtotal 11 $ 6,900 1 $ 6,900
COMPRESSOR FACILITY
Edison Service @ $2,000 L.S. $2,000
Electrical Service & Panel 2,000
Foundation for Compressor 500
Fence 300
Manifold & Valves 2,000
O.H. & Profit (15% x 68.00) $1,020
COMPRESSOR
Lump Sum @
Subtotal
$18,000
$ 6,970 1 $ 6,970
Subtotal 11 $18,000 1 $18,000
January 7, 1977
Subject: Natural Gas Recovery and Delivery System
Page 2
Plan "A" Plan "B"
TRANSMISSION MAIN
2870 L.F. @ $3.00 /L.F. $ 8,610
2750 L.F. @ $3.00 /L.F. $ 8,250
Installation 22,500 15,000
O.H. & Profit (15 %) 4,650 3,500
Subtotal $33,506 $26,750
SUBTOTAL CONSTRUCTION $65,430 $58,620
CONTINGENCIES 10% 6,500 5,800
ENGINEERING & INSP. 10% 6,500 5,800
TOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE $78,430 $70,220
These estimates do not include operating costs.
%ublic
i P: hh
Att.
Devlin
ks Director
I
,'.
Q.
4 V
='`rte '�i•� / in Id/ i. Till �j� 1 \„ �,J /''1t h i,,,� \ , ��� 1 :; !.. 1
° " } 1 9 \ l I d. • i '�/3
is
.'` }' -
1� ',.o ' :�
11'� i ( i yp��w'° / ; \') 1 ! Ri
U.) Z
♦'' �G i I .. �. � + „
o _ J - l A l am' \t J\i \ �'i S +�e,,� \ l a II l I _. ♦� , ;_
^ U
1�1 3-
` Ile 1
�ty",',.J h�:, i✓°,� •env Y a ✓'. .'i q. .. n ��., -/ �41 e .; � '
c,
�` Ji � :�'_. .'fl'+ �' \ \ \�y ~�� `�•R to : ?�� tl,f �8�0.`�� .• / J 11 }J1• -.:'1 � '���� ,.:.Ik ' QO��y
•CL.!
Vol .
�.. S/ wi If
q + �•
11 \ \\\ � 111 ` / y/ I , �c " f r % i ���I•••((( ((('''
l, = ��i i� 4� � ): {_j
I 1 1
)
1� /it`` �,/,�F� /r /� ,.r \ j1 IJ r. ` V �bt��\'�1� yr.:'(7 r �] -�•-�I l� j�� /�. � �"
\i /f, �' ��j\ J,~ � i�l '111 (�i � (� /��\�j ;� ✓S� 1 � \11 I 1 �... .__ `i` � {'���� 1 .. f�`�'-'�_,
l� ''��1/� �Y,,: .X 1 fi i�' �' '\ ' \�A Y�' ✓1�,1��1 1i J 1c ;
N
\1 I) I i
It I
wQ1 r� ��IIII p IJl `Qn
fy�`".� 1\��'�.\ .°..: \off`^ X10 \ \ :h.�ll l' , ✓�
(J ICI 1
scjr�'��r � \ t ),,1r� • . i `''l' N 5/ ' � \1✓ /�:'� I ?+ ,!r r1 ^Y.1�
cz
Ps
kn
1� L . �• • ♦, � V t' VV
A
m-. t
a\ J
0
4 • A3W •
AW
GEORGE P. ZEBAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION OF GEOLOGY
NOXIOUS GAS SEEPAGE CONTROL PROGRAM
IN NEWPORT BEACH,
EXPLORATION PHASE
Client:
City of Newport Beach
Public Works Department
Professional Services
Agreement No. C1839
Updated 15 January 1977
P.O. BOX 1822, NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92663 • (714) 6425588
NOXIOUS GAS SEEPAGE* CONTROL PROGRAM
IN NEWPORT BEACH
EXPLORATION PIIASE
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
For many years a serious environmental problem has
existed in the Balboa Coves and "Cagney" Tracts in west
Newport Beach by reason of the natural seepage of
noxious gas into these areas. An expanded solution to
the problem was enhanced when the State of California,
Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) notified the
City of Newport Beach (City) that it was planning to
sell the State -owned "Cagney Tract." This led to the
submittal of an unsolicited proposal by Zebal & As-
sociates to submit a plan to locate and intercept gas
at depth in an effort to eliminate surface seepage from
effected areas. The proposal was accepted and the
resulting report was submitted to the City on 1 March
1976. On 16 April 1976, the City entered into a cost -
sharing contract with the State of California, Cooperative
Agreement No. 3332, to administer a professional services
agreement to accomplish drilling on the "Cagney Tract."
On 29 June 1976, Zebal & Associates were requested by the
City to submit a letter of proposal to cost - effectively
drill several shallow exploratory holes. The proposal
was accepted and authorized by the City Council through
Resolution No. 8838 on 12 July 1976. Work was initiated
on 3 August 1976.
Since 1967 many efforts have been made to alleviate the
surface seepage of noxious gas invading the Balboa Coves
Tract. Excavation of the bluffs on the "Cagney Tract"
initiated surface seepage in that area. From 1967 to
date, work by Zebal & Associates finally developed suf-
ficient geological and reservoir engineering data to
propose that the source of the surface seeps were shallow
gas sands contained in various fault blocks paralleling
the north shore of the western reaches of Balboa Bay.
Based on experience in west Newport Beach oil wells, it
was believed that lenticular or stray gas sands would be
found in Miocene Division "A" and "B" zones to depths of
600 feet, When the extent of financial backing was
revealed, the proposed plan was modified to consider core
holes to maximum depths of 150 feet to be located on the
State -maned "Cagney Tract."
Three core holes were drilled; two discovered dry gas
sands in separate fault blocks and a third was devoid of
any gas shows which served to limit the extent of the
near surface reservoir to the east. This report serves
0 0
to summarize the initial geological and engineering data
obtained from the drilling program.
DRILLING PLAN
A thrust fault has been defined (see Reference 1) that
passes through the Balboa Coves Tract and beneath the
"Cagney Tract." Along the trace of the thrust fault, at
least three separate fault blocks are present on the
"Cagney Tract," each separated by transverse normal
faults. Therefore, each block has the capability of con-
taining separate shallow gas reservoirs. Since the
volume of gas seeping to the surface in the Balboa Coves
area appears to have increased from 1967 to date, a sub-
stantial gas - bearing reservoir must be present; hence, a
series of shallow core holes drilled on the "Cagney
Tract" appeared to have a good chance of encountering
reservoir sands.
The proposed drilling plan consisted of locating a
minimum of two holes on the most prominent fault blocks
adjacent to Balboa Coves. Additional holes were proposed
provided that the limit of financing was not exceeded.
To implement the plan, Dick Howell's Hole Drilling Service
was retained and the engineering services of James S.
Gilstrap were provided by the City. The City, as
Operator, also provided drilling permits and drilling
bonds, location surveys, a water line, and location clean-
up services. An extremely sensitive methane detector
(General Monitors, Inc. Model 180 solid state methane
monitor) was purchased to determine the presence of
residual gas in core samples recovered. Residual gas
percentage curves shown on the graphic well reports at-
test to the efficacy of this instrument.
DRILLING PROGRAM
The following section describes the drilling and com-
pletion program conducted at each well site.
Well No. 1, State of California
Well No. 1 was located on a narrow down- dropped fault
block which appeared to be related to the major seepage
area beneath the former Union Oil Co. service station
in Balboa Coves. Specifically, the location lies
-2-
0 0
3,730 feet west and 2,976 feet north of the southeast
corner of Section 28, T. 6 S., R. 1.0 W., S.B.B. & M.
The site was placed in an open space midway between the
north margin of Coast Highway and the cyclone fence en-
closing the City - leased parking lot. It lies 33 feet
north of Coast Highway and 110 feet east of the center-
line of the parking lot access road. Ground level
elevation at this site is 10.4 feet above mean sea level.
On 3 August 1976, a 32 -inch diameter hole was drilled to
a depth of 17 feet through weathered, gas- bearing,
Miocene Division "A" shale. At 15 feet, a dry gas sand
was encountered. When the sand was penetrated, there
was an immediate strong puff of noxious gas followed by
a continuous flow. The hole was reamed to 38 inches in
diameter, 17 feet of used, 26 -inch diameter, 40 pounds
per foot line pipe was inserted, and the annulus was
cemented to the surface with 54 cubic feet of ready mix
cement. A 30 -inch diameter, "h inch thick, steel plate
was prewelded to the 26 -inch casing. To this plate, a
30 -inch diameter, h inch thick, steel flange was bolted
using a double thickness of rubber cut from a truck in-
nertube for a gasket. A centrally located 3 -inch collar
and an off - center one inch collar were prewelded onto
the flange. A used, 200 pound pressure rated, 3 -inch
valve was affixed to the 3 -inch collar and a plug was
inserted into the one inch collar. 15 feet of 3 -inch
galvanized pipe was attached to the valve and a burner
head was fabricated to flare the gas.
After cement had hardened, a 16 -inch diameter hole was
drilled through dry gas sand to 42 feet. At 42 feet
some black shale was encountered, so drilling was ter-
minated to prevent the possible influx of water from a
deeper zone. Lithologic descriptions and residual gas
percentage values are shown on an appended graphic well
report for the subject well.
The No. 1 observation and test well was temporarily com-
pleted on 6 August 1976 by setting 42 feet of used, 7-
inch, 23 pounds per foot, J 55 casing to total depth.
The 'base of the casing was shop perforated for a distance
of 25 feet. The perforations consist of 2- inch, 40 mesh
(0.040 inch) slots cut on 6 -inch centers at 48 slots per
foot. A centralizer was welded to the base of the 7-
inch casing and it was set openended (no bull plug).
The hole was gravel packed to prevent caving with 10
mesh quartz gravel from total depth to 10 feet below
ground level.
-3-
• •
The No. 1 well is currently being produced by flaring
the gas while awaiting tests of its delivery potential.
Well No. 2, State of California
Well No. 2 was located on an upthrown fault block lying
east of Well No. 1. it was drilled to attempt to
determine the easterly extent of shallow gas sands.
The location is 390 feet east of Well No. 1 in the open
space midway between Coast Highway and the fence en-
closing the City- leased parking lot. It is 3,345 feet
west and 2,912 feet north of the southeast corner of
Section 28, T. 6 S:, R. 10 W., S.B.B. & M. Ground
elevation is 9.8 feet above mean sea level.
On 5 August 1976, a 28 -inch diameter hole was drilled to
lb feet. A 16 —inch diameter hole was carried to 34 feet.
At that depth an impenetrable stratum (probably a massive
calcareous concretion) was encountered. From ground
level to a depth of 4 feet, brown clay (artificial fill)
existed. The top of black, weathered, Miocene Division
"A" shale was found at that depth. Dry, weathered shale
with no trace of gas was present to 22 feet.. Less
weathered shale bearing minor amounts of water in frac-
ture zones and no residual gas lay from 22 feet to total
depth. Some water was encountered at the top of the hard
zone at 34 feet. Because water was encountered and ab-
solutely no residual gas was detected, Well No. 3 was
immediately abandoned by dumping 68 cubic feet of ready
mix slurry in the hole. The cement filled the hole to a
depth of 4 feet below ground level; the remainder of the
hole was filled with clay cuttings. This operation was
witnessed by a Division of Oil and Gas engineer. A
detailed lithologic log is appended. The hole was
abandoned on 5 August 1976.
Well No. 3, State of California
Well No, 3 was located on an upthrown fault block 500
feet west of Well No, 1. It was drilled to determine
the continuity of shallow gas sands to the west. The
location lies 4,223 feet west and 3,058 feet north of
the southeast corner of Section 28, T. 6 S., R. 10 W.,
S.B.B. & M. The ground level elevation is 11.0 feet
above mean sea level. The well is located in a broad
flat area created by excavation of the bluffs on the
"Cagney Tract." It lies 33 feet north of the northerly
margin of Coast Highway.
The well was commenced on 11 August 1976 by drilling a
-4-
• •
32 -inch hole to 63 feet. Formations penetrated included
4 feet of loose sand (fill derived from Pleistocene
` beach sands capping the bluff); 5 feet of weathered,
black, Miocene Division "A" shale with no show of
residual gas; 2 feet of very hard, calcareous concretions;
35 feet of black shale containing gradually increasing
amounts of residual gas and some water associated with
fractures and thin sand lenses; and 36 feet of dry, black
shale carrying a constant amount of residual gas. At
825 feet, a dry gas sand was encountered. There was an
immediate strong blow of gas when the sand was penetrated
followed by a continuous flow.
83 feet of used, 20 -inch diameter, 48 pounds per foot
line pipe was welded together on the surface of the
ground. A 24 -inch diameter, � inch thick, steel plate
was welded to the casing. The casing was set in the hole
with a crane with the steel plate at ground level. The
casing was cemented into the hole by Halliburton Oil Well
Cementing Co. using a two stage procedure. The first
stage consisted of 15 sacks of Class G cement and 15
sacks of Cal -seal for rapid setting. The second stage
required 150 sacks of Class G cement and 4 sacks of cal-
cium chloride to bring the column of cement to 4 feet
below ground level. After setting, the level of cement
dropped to 5 feet below the surface and a very minor seep
of gas broke through outside of the casing. A 24 -inch
diameter, h inch thick, steel flange was bolted to the
plate using a double thickness of rubber cut from a truck
innertube for a gasket. A centrally located 9 -inch col-
lar and an off- center one inch collar were prewelded onto
the flange. A 9 inches long length of 9 -inch casing was
inserted in the 9 -inch collar and a 9 -inch diameter, �
inch thick plate was prewelded to the short length of 9-
inch casing. A 3 -inch collar was welded to this plate.
A used, 200 pounds pressure rated, 3 -inch valve was
mounted on the 3 -inch collar and a one inch ball valve
was inserted into the one inch collar. 15 feet of used,
3 -inch, steel pipe was attached to the 3 -inch valve and
a burner head was fabricated to flare the gas.
On 16 August 1976, a 16 -inch diameter hole was drilled to
99 feet. The dry gas sand 'proved to be 4h feet thick
(from 825 to 87 feet). At 96 feet, a water sand bearing
some gas was encountered. Lithologic details and per-
centages of residual gas with depth are denoted on an
appended graphic well report.
The No. 3 observation and test well was temporarily com-
pleted on 20 August 1976 by setting 97 feet of used, 7-
inch diameter, 23 pounds per foot, J 55 casing to total
-5-
depth. The base of the casing was shop perforated for a
distance of 15 feet above a welded bull plug. The per-
forations consist of 2 -inch, 40 mesh slots cut on 6 -inch
centers at 48 slots per foot. A centralizer was welded
to the base of the casing. The hole was gravel packed
with 10 mesh quartz gravel from total depth to 65 feet
below gr ound level and then filled to 50 feet with clay
cuttings. The 7 -inch casing was centered in the top of
the hole with a wooden block.
Since it was known that water was entering the hole from
96 to 99 feet, a bailer was run to determine the water
level. It was found to be standing at 88 feet; hence,
the gas sand present from 82h to 87 feet is not effected.
RESULTS
The No. 1, State of California Well was temporarily con -
pleted in a very shallow, dry, Miocene Division "A"
stray sand that is 27 feet thick. Under the microscope,
the sand is a very clean, loose, very fine to coarse
grain, angular to subangular grain, quartz sand with
much biotite mica. It is estimated that the porosity
is at least 30 percent by volume and the permeability
should approach one darcy. Shut -in gas pressure has
been monitored at weekly intervals since completion of
the well. The pressure has stabilized itself at 1.5
psig (pounds per square inch measured by a gauge). The
gas is currently being flared awaiting analysis of its
composition and tests of the volume being produced.
The No. 3, State of California Well was also temporarily
completed in a dry, Miocene Division "A" stray sand that
is 4� feet thick. The character of the sand is identical
to that in Well No. 1. After two weeks, the shut -in gas
pressure has stabilized at 5.0 psig. This well is also
being flared while awaiting tests.
Reservoir and test data will be included in a future
report when data become available.
The results of the program can be evaluated in the fol-
lowing manner. The two flares erected by the City in
Balboa Coves are still burning but the volume of gas
being flared is about 10 percent that being produced
prior to the completion of Well No. 1. Four ornamental
lamps were installed by homeowners in Balboa Coves to
scavenge gas from beneath their homes. All of these
lamps have ceased burning. Discussions with specific
• 0
homeowners who were most effected by the seepage of gas
has disclosed that, in all cases, the gas odor within
their respective homes has disappeared.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
From the above evidence, it can be tentatively concluded
that the drilling program was successful in discovering
the gas reservoir sands that are feeding the seeps in
the Balboa Coves and "Cagney" Tracts. The existence of
residual gas in surface shales demonstrates the extent
to which gas is escaping on the "Cagney Tract." By
depleting the gas from these reservoirs, it may be pos-
sible to terminate the Balboa Coves and "Cagney Tract"
noxious gas problems. The time required to accomplish
complete exhaustion of gas from these reservoir sands is
unknown. By monitoring loss of gas pressure and as-
sociated volume with time, a curve can eventually be con -
structed to predict the length of time required to
deplete the gas from these sands.
Each well produces gas from a different sand inhabiting
a different fault block. From sensory evidence, the gas
from Well No. 1 appears to be identical to that seeping
into Balboa Coves; gas from Well No. 3 has much less
hydrogen sulfide content. The complete lack of water in
the gas sands which lie well below mean sea level can be
explained as a function of the following factors. On
the "Cagney Tract," outcropping Miocene Division "A"
shale exhibits a structural strike of N 350 E and a dip
of 12 degrees to the northwest. Therefore, the shallow
gas sands are gently rising toward Balboa Bay while the
surface of the ground falls from 10.4 feet at Well No. 1
to 7.5 feet above mean sea level in the Balboa Coves
Tract. As shown on Map 3 of the report of 1 March 1976
(see Reference 1), the Bluffs thrust fault cuts off the
gas sand isolated in Well No. 1 along the bayfront shore-
line. Noxious gas is enabled to escape from this sand
via vertical fractures in the thin shale cover lying
between the gas sand and the recent beach and river bar
sand upon which the Balboa Coves community is built.
Water appears to be eliminated by a shale seal created
by the thrust fault and existing at a very critical
location relative to Balboa Bay.
It is recommended that the drilling program be continued
by drilling exploratory Hole No. 4 at a location that can
be described as follows:
-7-
i
6
700 feet west of Well No. 3 and 83 feet north
at a right angle from the centerline of Pacific
Coast Highway.
An exploratory hole at thi:
presence of shallow gas in
on the "Cagney Tract."
If Hole No. 4 is devoid of
are still available, it is
Hole No. S be drilled at a
as follows:
s location will investigate the
the most westerly fault block
gas sand and sufficient funds
recommended that development
location that can be described
200 feet west of Well No. 1 and 283 feet north
at a right angle from the centerline of Pacific
Coast Highway.
A hole at this location will determine a northerly ex-
tension of the shallow gas sand discovered by Well No. 1.
Since this sand in this fault block most severely effects
the Balboa Coves community and the "Cagney Tract," post -
exploratory development wells should concentrate on this
shallow reservoir sand to permit more rapid depletion of
gas.
REFERENCE
1. Zebal, George P., "Noxious Gas Seepage Control Program
(Preliminary)," City of Newport Beach, Dept. of
Public Works, 1 March 1976.
mm
GEORGE P. ZEEIAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION OF GEOLOGY
GRIPHIC WELL REPORT
Company: City of Newport Beach
Area: Newport
Contractor: Dick Howell
Commenced 8 -03 -76
Completed 8 -13 -76
Casing Record:
26 -inch conductor set. at 17 feet
7 -inch casing set at 42 feet
Sample
Log Sample Description
Alea, /Acres, 6 1ac.o , rt'y, s!/fy,
ve.ty / ,eaze.auo .TA&le.
.
Wells State of C'alifornla No. 1
Locations
3730 feet west and 2971 feet noil_h u:
SE corner of Sec. 28, ';' 6 S. F 10 i'l.
Elevations
Ground Level 10.4 feet 1181,
Kelly Bushing (Not applicable)
Remarks: Temporarily completed as an
observation and test well
Depth Gas Percentage*
Feet
below
GL 0 50 100
i
/0
20
30
40
r,a 42'
"
26
7
Remarks
Nn /race n /gad
Ten, e n /,ya. ,n sand zany
/'n.nc n!"ztC. /+uff oiy,y, / /'wens Ay
.on�in UOUJ fio:N� Jn,o✓ CI¢ /II,T
an.--x 6 /ow bo/ai
.Jana oaf eedem ej/ tSe /L; 26-'n.1,
Can.(ucr"ei rer" at /7,'cccland ccm[n: c-/
fe J,i,fpt( -L
COnY!inf✓Lri ann<'neK.uerny .yin:✓ ors
9aJ
7 -,n cb Ca.,, ny Jef of T.O. and ytavh'
,aacLecl A ^v 144,^ /O leer" of 6L
A{ ;70 /adfceie ronfo,ned m,nor
amaun{ i/ hl.eZ vfa/e
* residual gas present in dry samples and expressed as percent of an explosive mixture; hence,
1008 residual gas equals 58 mixture of methane in air.
.: r'..v..• y
.51,enEd of Ye'y T,/iy, 4
T. /V rd ay ri 14 nL 9 0, My, ta'n
:• :�'::�
J and
• • ••
'
.
Loade, /'y,(fyray, C /Can, ve y
'� •:'. •'
f'ne fa ,ntd'vn+9ta'n .sand
�•• •� •• � •
COnCIC {ian7 %a/e:aiea (/J%
LaaeL Gy efyn:y, clean, ✓e._y
f ne � eaai,7t9nr'nt an9o✓tI
ire 5a4~^4kd' 5ran'/Z
Janti
Laaee ,rand as a6ev6
.
Wells State of C'alifornla No. 1
Locations
3730 feet west and 2971 feet noil_h u:
SE corner of Sec. 28, ';' 6 S. F 10 i'l.
Elevations
Ground Level 10.4 feet 1181,
Kelly Bushing (Not applicable)
Remarks: Temporarily completed as an
observation and test well
Depth Gas Percentage*
Feet
below
GL 0 50 100
i
/0
20
30
40
r,a 42'
"
26
7
Remarks
Nn /race n /gad
Ten, e n /,ya. ,n sand zany
/'n.nc n!"ztC. /+uff oiy,y, / /'wens Ay
.on�in UOUJ fio:N� Jn,o✓ CI¢ /II,T
an.--x 6 /ow bo/ai
.Jana oaf eedem ej/ tSe /L; 26-'n.1,
Can.(ucr"ei rer" at /7,'cccland ccm[n: c-/
fe J,i,fpt( -L
COnY!inf✓Lri ann<'neK.uerny .yin:✓ ors
9aJ
7 -,n cb Ca.,, ny Jef of T.O. and ytavh'
,aacLecl A ^v 144,^ /O leer" of 6L
A{ ;70 /adfceie ronfo,ned m,nor
amaun{ i/ hl.eZ vfa/e
* residual gas present in dry samples and expressed as percent of an explosive mixture; hence,
1008 residual gas equals 58 mixture of methane in air.
10
Company: _
Area: _
Contractor:
Commenced
Completed
Casing Reco
A
is
GEORGE P. ZEBAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION OF GEOLOGY
GRAPHIC WELL REPORT
City of Newport Beach
Newport
Dick Howell
8 -05 -76
8 -05 -76
rd:
None used
Sample
Log Sample Description
i✓ea{.Sewad, hlaci,veysr / /y,
very M'CaceoW aAak Iv./i:
a %✓AW01 ArAMMI /&-i
%V &Aemcl -Male aJ adeve v,/<
/ MCAA/ J Melyin9 mierb -
cij.J {✓J e/ yy'0"Q , ! ?l
Meaffxird ,YA.1e aJ a4eve AW14
l+9,n Ce / I) V[.y
.........
PM 9Aa/A Jared lMCJ
Sof� 6/iaE, riliCac[aW si..L
Depth
Feet
below
GL
GL
/0
20
30
Q
Well: State of California No. 2
Location:
3345 feet west and 2912 feet north of
SE corner of Sec. 28, T 6 S, R 10 W.
Elevation:
Ground Level 9.8 feet MSL
Kelly Bushing (not applicable)
Remarks: Abandoned after recovering
water at 34 feet
Gas Percentage*
0 50 100
/Vo {race of
eeJidva/yaa in
,we," .5
Remarks
S /�4{ fe {id oa/er, Ao94J
Fiaef�r[J end Jared ZmC5 6leed.Ay
/Wino/ 2neun {J of ivaAe 40-ORS
A{ T.O, encountered #W hard,
,mpe,,e {rM6/[ irwfion (Pra6.d /y
ra/CareaW CYAC.V /6"n Z,nGJ
*Residual gas present in dry samples and expressed as percent of an explosive
mixture; hence, 1008 residual gas equals 58 mixture of methane in air.
Coupanyi City of New
Arsai Newport
Contractor: Dick Ilowell
Commenced 8 -11 -76
Completed 6 -20 -76
Cuing Reeordt
20 -inch conductor set
7 -inch casing set at
basal 15 feet preper
GEORGE P. ZESAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION OF GEOLOGY
GRAPHIC WELL REPORT
)ort Beach Wolli State of California No. 3
Loeationi
4223 feet west and 3058 feet north of
SE corner of Sec. 28, T 6 S, R 10 W.
Elevationi
Ground Level
at 83 feet Kelly Bushing (Not applicable)
98 feet with Remarks: Temporarily completed as an
forated observation and test well
Sample
Log Sample Description
Buff JenaA "eWn*"g~A
.lend <nahva/ /0//)
A/ae/A&* 61644, vey J./13y,
Yby m.,eaccaus Jai"
[auEdvw"y e#A47}NAJ
Ma% emd iAwA m a4eve
Ckan, fine PWA .ivari/ J6nd
Q/64,6 vuy
�uieeeeow w.rlf vnsif.E
fiae�Giia,a
Depth
e
ee
below
GL
GL
/0
2O
JD
Gas Percentage* Remarks
0 50 100
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
..4Ad pealeew9 ir,inar 6.»aw� of wa.b/
_V6k .,f Iva�6n1 ye,.Y.�y, lre4/uie a
6/ecd.Ay ~Aar 120M ..fr of Was%:
1L - -
,.
GRAPHIC WELL REPORT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA NO. 3
(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
40
e /4a, vUy 5,11y, Yev y
mocaceaua 74a/c wMA SO
OCCAWOA01 M n <Ya" -4r')
J /rea s afjway, Yey-w lly,
rn,caceaw, W-iy fine
yarn 4nnd
60
70
M
Lty4v, KAy, clean, ve y /one A
fne gea,n, aw�w /ar sa.rl
Jand
B 112uE'TA41C w,td mm - 90
0.1 a6aw,
'0 v'i h"&VA di // JwN .Tame
eaa -e awnd g0 w^j
L,yt /y,ey, dean, fwt yin
Ju6avuhv 37000711 Ivalar T.0.5
Sand
JA&A is al% Arwek r.5 awd A(,.,
Sand ZanuT cenrbwn yaa
2'm^ua6ale tfiony 6/aw of ywa
y4//.Wed 6y tan /inuaut f/ew� 2ovnc.!
tandueiir/ caa,n9 se.1 a¢ B3 firf:
CemenrEd sb S/ee! bt/iw 6L
7'1 A4&-6%+and carries Jame yaa; 7-,nc -<
ewa,ny de/ ai T.O. ond,ynve /pac.Eed
A w,s%,n fS/Saei of 6L
*Residual gas present in dry samples and expressed as percent of an explosive
mixture; hence, 1008 residual gas equals 58 mixture of methane in air.
9 0
NOXIOUS GAS SEEPAGE CONTROL PROGRAM
IN NEWPORT BEACH,
EXPLORATION PHASE, PART 2
INTRODUCTION
The fol'l'owing paragraphs conclude the description of work accomplished
under the exploration phase of the noxious gas seepage control program
in West Newport Beach.
DRILLING PLAN
Following the completion of the initial series of three holes, the
remaining funds permitted two additional holes to be drilled. Locations
for these holes were described in the recommendations section of the
report of 15 September 1976. (Exploration Phase, Part 1).
The final holes were drilled to obtain information on the possible
extent of shallow gas sands into the most westerly reaches of the
"Cagney Tract and to determine the northerly continuity of the thick
sand body found in the fault block containing Vent Hole No. 1, State
of California.
DRILLING PROGRAM
The following section describes the drilling and completion program
conducted at the sites of Wells No. 4 and 5.
Well No. 4, State of California
Well No. 4 was located on the same fault block as Well No. 3 at a
distance 700 feet west of the latter hole. It was drilled to determine
the existence of shallow gas sands in the most westerly portion of the
"Cagney Tract ". The site lies at the western termination of the
excavated bluff in a cul -de -sac created by the corner of Pacific
Coast Highway and Superior Boulevard. Specifically, the location is
4,909 feet west and 3,202 feet north of the southeast corner of Section
28, T. 6 S., R. 10 W., S.B.B. & M. Ground level elevation is 10.7
feet above mean sea level.
On 19 October 1976, a 16 -inch diameter hole was drilled to 115 feet.
The initial 2 feet consisted of natural sand fill contributed by
erosion of Pleistocene beach sands. The top of Miocene Division "A"
sediments consisted of a one -foot zone of hard calcareous concretions
In
• •
followed by 4 feet of blue -gray, micaceous, sandy silt. Weathered
black shale with a strong odor of hydrogen sulfide existed to 31 feet.
From that depth to total depth, black, silty, micaceous, shale was
encountered. Two sandy zones were cored. From 79 to 791, feet, a
very fine grained sand probably containing gas was drilled and from 101
to 102 feet a very silty, very fine grained sand probably containing
water was encountered. Below a depth of 8 feet, all of the shales
drilled in this hole contained at least traces of residual gas. A
detailed lithologic log is appended. Well No. 4 was abandoned on 20
October 1976 by dumping 190 cubic feet of ready mix slurry in the
hole. The cement filled the hole to a depth of 3 feet below ground
level. After cement had hardened, the remainder of the hole was filled
with clay cuttings. This operation was witnessed by a Division of
Oil and Gas engineer
Well No. 5, State of California
Well No. 5 was intentionally located on the same down- dropped fault block
as Well No. 1. It was drilled to establish continuity of the gas sand
found in Well No. 1 and to enhance depletion of this gas sand. Well No.
5 lies approximately 200 feet northwest of Well No. 1 at the base of the
excavated bluff. The location is 3,591 feet west and 3,029 feet north of
the southeast corner of Section 28, T. 6 S., R. 10 W., S.B.B. & M. Ground
level elevation at this site is 23.7 feet above mean sea level.
On 6 November 1976 a 16 -inch diameter hole was drilled to 100 feet below
ground level. Formations penetrated included 2 feet of loose sand
(natural fill derived from the erosion of Pleistocene beach sands
capping the bluff); 24 feet of Miocene Division "A" weathered, black,
very micaceous, very silty shale with no show of residual gas; 38 feet
of unweathered similar shale with thin streaks of very silty, very fine
grain sand bearing gradually increasing amounts of residual gas. At
64 feet a tight very silty, very fine grain sand existed and at 67 feet
a bed of black, silty shale was drilled. At 70 feet a clean, loose,
fine to coarse grain, dry gas sand was encountered. There was an
immediate weak blow of noxious gas which became increasingly strong as
drilling continued. Clean,dry, gas sand existed to total depth. A
detailed lithologic log is appended.
70 feet of used, 20 -inch diameter, 48 pounds per foot line pipe was
welded together on the surface of the ground. A 24 -inch diameter,
'z -inch thick steel plate was welded to the top of the casing and a
centralizer was welded to the bottom. The 16 -inch hole was reamed to
32 inches in diameter to 70 feet and the resulting cuttings were used
to plug the gas sand. Casing was set in the hole by a crane with the
-10-
•
steel plate lying one foot above ground level. The casing was cemented by
Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Co. using a two stage procedure. The first
stage consisted of 85 sacks of Class G cement containing 3 sacks of
calcium chloride. After 4 hours the second stage consisting of 122
sacks of Class G cement and 3 sacks of calcium chloride was emplaced.
After setting, the level of cement came to 3 feet below ground surface.
A 24 -inch diameter, '2 inch thick, steel flange was bolted to the plate
using a thick rubber circle cut from a mechanics ground cloth as a
gasket. A centrally located 8 5/8 -inch collar and an off - center one
inch collar were prewelded on to the flange. A 9 -inch length of 8 5/8 -inch
casing was inserted in the collar and an 8 5/8 -inch, 2 -inch thick, steel
plate was prewelded to the short length of 8 5/8 -inch casing. A 3 -inch
collar was prewelded to this plate. A used, 200 pounds pressure rated,
3 -inch valve was mounted on the 3 -inch collar and a bull plug was inserted
into the one inch collar. 15 feet of used, 3 -inch diameter, steel pipe
was attached to the 3 -inch valve and a burner head was fabricated to
flare the gas.
On 2 December 1976, the 16 -inch diameter hole was reopened through
the dry gas sand to 100 feet below ground level. The No. 5 observation
and test well was temporarily completed by setting 100 feet of used
7 -inch diameter, T 55, 23 pounds per foot casing to total depth with
the top of the casing set one foot below the 24 -inch flange. The base
of the casing was shop perforated for a distance of 30 feet above a
welded bull plug formed from the casing. The perforations consist of
2 -inch long, 40 mesh slots cut on 6 -inch centers at 48 slots per foot.
Centralizers were welded to the casing immediately above the bull plug
and 4 feet below the top. The hole was gravel packed with 10 mesh
quartz gravel from total depth to 50 feet below ground level.
PRODUCTION DATA
Gas samples were obtained from Wells No. 1, 3, and 5 so that the
composition and BTU value of the gas could be ascertained. The
composition of the gas from each well is shown in Table 1.
A Singer positive displacement type flow meter was installed on Well No.
3 on 16 September 1976 and the volume of flowing gas measured. The
meter was shifted to Well No. 1 on 20 September 1976 and a long term
measurement was initiated. On 20 December 1976, the meter was moved
to Well No. 5 and flow tests were conducted through December 26th.
-11-
•
r
TV
a, v 0, O 8
a
00
0)
°O
"
°
U
U
°
z
O
0
0000
�
O
4-
1,
O
N
a
E
X
~
O
j
O
C1
N
N.
O
O
�.
N
^
a
N
3
y
U
C
CT
O
m
O
O
0)
O
d
Z
Ot
LO
v
v
C)
to
O
O
O
O
Z
O
rn
M
m
°
E
N
�
m
TV
a, v 0, O 8
00
00
00
0)
N
O
°
U
U
00)
k0
O
o
rn
m
O
4-
a
C
X
~
O
j
O
C1
F-
N
E
-0
C
•
N
N
y
U
C
CT
O
CT
O
O
0)
O
d
Z
Ot
i
z
F-
a
U
Z
O
2
W
N
U
E
O
n
m
O
°
°
O
N
N
Q
CD
E
E
z
�
m
W
O
0)
O
N
W
O
>
>
—
00
K
r�
�O
00
r
O
W
U-
E
J
O
a
n
O
O
N
^
m
Q
W
Y
F-
C
J
0)
Q
U
>
i
0)
N
F-
a
F-
a,
v
0)
°
O
z°
m
m
O
O
E
C%j
O
O
Q
0)
N
M
3
Z
O
F-
V)
N
0)
In
O
C)
S
a
N
O
O
U
k0
O
O
N
!•7
00
00
00
0)
N
O
O
U
U
00)
k0
O
O
d
O
O
4-
a
C
X
~
O
j
O
C1
F-
N
E
-0
C
C
O
y
y
U
C
CT
C
CT
O
O
0)
O
d
i
Ot
i
z
a
U
Z
O
2
00
00
00
N
N
O
O
U
U
O
k0
O
O
U
O
O
a
O
O
~
O
O
LO
F-
00
00
00
N
N
O
O
U
U
O
466
LO
O
O
F-
os-
F-
°
00
0)
00
N
_r�
O
O
U
U
O
0
O
O
U
O
O
O
O
L
O
O
LO
F-
O
LO
to
Cl)
_r�
O
O
U
U
O
00
O
O
U
O
O
O
O
L
O
O
LO
Fib
-
O
t0
m
i0
0)
O
O
U
U
O
a
O
O
~
Fib
F-
O
0)
o
v
i0
O O
0000 O
O
O
U
O
O
O
L
O
O
N
F-
N
d
0)
0) G:
0) O) eCp C Y
�O C: C Y OF
.0 d 0 0
E. F-
LU
.�n. �i
Z r
W N
O �
rn
LO
o
LO
Cl)
00 a
O �
N
O N
LO
O lA
N
m
00 r�
O
N
N
N
O N
n
00 N
N
O N
41
O
O
4-
U
a
U
t aa)
i C1
CT
U
4 A
1
•U
a F-
V) 00
�0 �0
n n
�0 X00101
01 p1
^ ^a0 C0
^NN
� m i S-
E E
> >
CT U u u CT U
O > > 0)
O n
u
v
O N m
U
O) O) 0) 0)
N
0) E E E E CL
E E £ E
E m m e
E N N N N
N
0)
Y
G]
0)
O
Z
N
1
i
00 N
N i
i0
O O
0000 O
O U
U O
O
O O
O L
L O
O O
O
�
F-
LU
.�n. �i
Z r
W N
O �
rn
LO
o
LO
Cl)
00 a
O �
N
O N
LO
O lA
N
m
00 r�
O
N
N
N
O N
n
00 N
N
O N
41
O
O
4-
U
a
U
t aa)
i C1
CT
U
4 A
1
•U
a F-
V) 00
�0 �0
n n
�0 X00101
01 p1
^ ^a0 C0
^NN
� m i S-
E E
> >
CT U u u CT U
O > > 0)
O n
u
v
O N m
U
O) O) 0) 0)
N
0) E E E E CL
E E £ E
E m m e
E N N N N
N
0)
Y
G]
0)
O
Z
N
1
i
W N
O �
rn
LO
o
LO
Cl)
00 a
O �
N
O N
LO
O lA
N
m
00 r�
O
N
N
N
O N
n
00 N
N
O N
41
O
O
4-
U
a
U
t aa)
i C1
CT
U
4 A
1
•U
a F-
V) 00
�0 �0
n n
�0 X00101
01 p1
^ ^a0 C0
^NN
� m i S-
E E
> >
CT U u u CT U
O > > 0)
O n
u
v
O N m
U
O) O) 0) 0)
N
0) E E E E CL
E E £ E
E m m e
E N N N N
N
0)
Y
G]
0)
O
Z
N
1
i
Ll
E
Shut -in pressures and the volume of gas being produced from each well
are shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2
Shut -in Pressure and Volume of Vent Gas on Cagney Tract
EXTENT OF GAS RESERVOIR
The volume of gas that has been vented to date, 12 January 1977, from the
"Cagney Tract" is shown in Table 3.
TABLE 3
Volume of Gas vented on the Cagney Tract to 12 January 1977
Well Days Venting Gas Volume of Gas Vented (in cubic feet)
Well No. 1 162 15,940,200
Well No. 3 145 5,302,200
Well No. 5 41 3,075,000
Total gas vented 24,317,400 cubic feet
Using standard oil field methods for determining the volume of gas confined
in a reservoir; namely, assuming that the reservoir extends one -half
the distance between vent holes and dry holes, assuming that the reservoir
is confined to the Balboa Coves and "Cagney" Tracts, and utilizing known
sand thicknesses and shut -in pressures; only 3,588,000 cubic feet of gas
in place can be accounted for. Since 7 times this volume of gas has been
produced to date, it appears that a very extensive dry gas reservoir is
present in this area.
A series of tests were conducted between 26 and 28 December 1976 to determine
the existence of any noticeable depletion in the short period of time these
holes have been venting gas. Prior to conducting these tests, it was known
that Wells No. 1 and 5 were producing gas from a common reservoir. Well No.
3, in turn produces from a different sand in a different fault block.
-13-
Maximum
Average
Volume
Shut -in Pressure
Measured Volume
Well
in psig)
din cf per day)
Variation
No. 1
2.0
102,000
0.6%
No. 3
5.0
39,000
1.1%
No. 5
3.0
75,000
0.0%
EXTENT OF GAS RESERVOIR
The volume of gas that has been vented to date, 12 January 1977, from the
"Cagney Tract" is shown in Table 3.
TABLE 3
Volume of Gas vented on the Cagney Tract to 12 January 1977
Well Days Venting Gas Volume of Gas Vented (in cubic feet)
Well No. 1 162 15,940,200
Well No. 3 145 5,302,200
Well No. 5 41 3,075,000
Total gas vented 24,317,400 cubic feet
Using standard oil field methods for determining the volume of gas confined
in a reservoir; namely, assuming that the reservoir extends one -half
the distance between vent holes and dry holes, assuming that the reservoir
is confined to the Balboa Coves and "Cagney" Tracts, and utilizing known
sand thicknesses and shut -in pressures; only 3,588,000 cubic feet of gas
in place can be accounted for. Since 7 times this volume of gas has been
produced to date, it appears that a very extensive dry gas reservoir is
present in this area.
A series of tests were conducted between 26 and 28 December 1976 to determine
the existence of any noticeable depletion in the short period of time these
holes have been venting gas. Prior to conducting these tests, it was known
that Wells No. 1 and 5 were producing gas from a common reservoir. Well No.
3, in turn produces from a different sand in a different fault block.
-13-
•
•
Well No. 5 was tested for a period of 6 days while Well No. 1 was venting
gas. Daily volume was consistent at 75,000 cubic feet per day. The meter
was shifted to Well No. 1 and that well retested while Well No. 5 was
venting gas. It was discovered that the volume of flow from Well No. 1
was reduced from an initial flow rate of 102,000 cubic feet per day to
74,200 cubic feet per day. Leaving the meter on Well No. 1, Well No. 5
was shut in. In a period of 72 hours, the flow rate from Well No. 1
climbed from 74,200 cubic feet per day to 85,400 cubic feet per day.
Projection of this rate of increase shows that the flow from Well No. 1
would have stabilized at the initial rate of production in less than one
week. Two conclusions stem from these tests:
(1) The sand body comprising the reservoir from which Wells No. 1
and 5 are producing is laterally more extensive than drilling
indicates, or
(2) Said sand body is being fed via fault zone conduits from
deeper and unknown gas reservoirs.
The flow meter was transferred to Well No. 3 to test its rate of flow
after being vented for approximately 3 months. It was found that the
flow rate had decreased from an initial rate of 39,000 cubic feet per
day to 34,100 cubic feet per day or 12.6 percent reduction. Therefore,
it appears that this reservoir is less extensive than the other. Future
tests can yield a depletion rate curve.
-14-
M
s
GEORGE P. ZEBAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION. OF GEOLOGY
GRAPHIC WELL REPORT
Companyi City of Newport Beach
Area: Newport
Contractor: Dick Howell
Commenced 10 -19 -76
Completed 10 -20 -76
Caring Record:;
No casing used
W 9113 State of California No. 4
Location:
4909 feet west and 3202 feet north of
SE corner of Sec. 28, T 6 S, R 10 W.
Elevations
Ground Level 10.7 feet MSL
Kelly Bushing (Not aonl ,able)
Remarks: Abandoned immediately
after drilling was concluded
~ample
L_. g Sample Description Depth Gas Percentage*
Feet
below
GL 0 10 20
t4u /r_ r.nr. Ar..nrn:...n
lr c.[Irl�Ya. A•�ca, o, /iy� Very
30
.lrosiat rb /acr♦.'.J. g6un.Ya.J
/vitamin r {f1+2
40
(CONTINUED ON
13
Remarks
%+^1,. ctan Ocvrsran "A';1ha /a
/V. 4 ez e/ rya.,
.S /.onj ouzo/ o/ 125
n,Plor e/ VZ.5
L
,Sho% ao z6eve 6.,f very
s,/ly
0
GRAPHIC WELL REPORT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA NO, 4
(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
J0 I
4�, o 1
70
L•9•V 'qray, AyAa very ,r, / /y, BO
T /f,n c.[e t, 1, Very �nC 7rA.n
.land
.�%iny; very, pig /y, I ;C�V 'ne. 90
,9enrn .�rt..d aAn j Addd nf7
fibtne -s
vuy fide yTa, -r *and
R /nc.E J�ra./f. rti+ rt/+.e✓G
/�a,c(, !'a lr areouJ fon<rC ne•�)
%00
//0
7�-.rc of 7
Tnac[ .rf yrrs
"Residual gas present in dry samples and expressed at; percent o of an explosive
mixture; hence, ,100'6 residual gas o+InF+l:; 5% mixture of mel.hano in air.
I Ca
i ACs •
s
GEORGE P. ZEBAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION OF GEOLOGY
GRAPHIC WELL REPORT
Compaayt City of Newport Beach
Area: Newport
Contractor: Dick Howell
Commenced 11 -06 -76
Completed
Casing Record:
20 -inch conductor set at 70 feet
7 -inch casing set at 100 feet
with basal 30 feet preperforated
Sample
'_ Sample Description
Bufj f ne Art me�.c�,n 9ro:n
sand lnafoe ✓ / //%
Weo.rhered, h/arf, vr.s,
very MK acrof/s
.Tha/G
Blac.i .,hale. a.a mfevr. w, /A
vc�y f/„n f %- %ro,
of /.yAf9ray� veiy
very ne ynnrn .sand
Depth
Feet
below
GL
G. Z.
/0
20
M'
Well: State, of California No.
Location:
3591 feet west and 3029 feet north o;
SE corner of Sec. 28, T 6 S, R 10 W.
Elevation:
Ground Level 23.7 feet MSL
Kelly Bushing (Not applicable)
Remarks: Temporarily completed as an
observation and test well
Gas Percentage* Remarks
0 50 100
40
(CONTI ED ON NEXT PAGE
17
No fracr..ol ya.7
Trnre.+ ,o�,yae ..n randy tone.,
GRAPHIC WELL REPORT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA NO. 5
(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
1 �- 40
ZO i
yat ri` /." r,, oy
r"nn�intror�l f /oW. 10-'ne4 rm ecc w
.7r/ of 70 kr/ a W r emcndra .(•,
7-,^(-A r-a.t.nrJ .rrr.,/ TO. anal9rurr/
7rr p44ead a4• M,frCrn .f0 %rn
•Re!d dual pas present in dry samples and expressed as percent of an explosive
nixt.urel hence, 100% residual gas equals a 5% mixture of methane in air.
it
SO
r,3.i>
60
........ ....
61acA arsa/c as a$•rt
70
r -__'?: •:.; n
/n yr/[/ f%ne 9ia.n .sand
J�r{V
rrry.711 1 y.snn i
L.9n ✓9.ay, c/can� /ooaG� f,ne
:fin Coar�c yia rn Jand
pO
B /a�E rcr�rn.coccew.rfa/G
90
n7KarGaw, Yrrr/ �nG :N
Mlr+:am.� /Jrn .rorpnl
7. D. /oo
ZO i
yat ri` /." r,, oy
r"nn�intror�l f /oW. 10-'ne4 rm ecc w
.7r/ of 70 kr/ a W r emcndra .(•,
7-,^(-A r-a.t.nrJ .rrr.,/ TO. anal9rurr/
7rr p44ead a4• M,frCrn .f0 %rn
•Re!d dual pas present in dry samples and expressed as percent of an explosive
nixt.urel hence, 100% residual gas equals a 5% mixture of methane in air.
it
12 1976
By +he CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
CITY .QP NAWPQRT BEACH CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
ITEM NO. H-2(c)
TO: CITY.000NCIL
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: PROPOSED PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH GEORGE P. ZEBAL
AND ASSOCIATES TO DRILL WELLS TO LOCATE A SOURCE OF NOXIOUS GAS
(CONTRACT 1839)
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute
a professional services agreement with George P. Zebal and Asso-
ciates to drill two wells on the "Cagney property" to locate a
source of noxious gas.
DISCUSSION:
On April 16, 1976, the City entered into Cooperative Agreement
No. 3332 with the State of California. The cooperative agreement provides
that the City will prepare plans and specifications, let bids, and administer
a contract to drill up to four wells (on the "Cagney property ") to inter-
cept and dispose of noxious gas. The State will pay one -half the cost of
the contract or $10,000, whichever is less. The location of the "Cagney
property" is shown on the attached sketch.
On June 28, 1976, the City amended the cooperative agreement so
that the work may be done by means of a professional services agreement with
a qualified geologist, instead of by a standard public works contract. Be-
cause of the highly specialized nature of the drilling and the geologic
investigation, the work can be executed more economically and satisfactorily
under a professional services agreement.
The proposal submitted by George P. Zebal and Associates on
June 29, 1976, offers to drill two wells on the "Cagney property" for an
estimated cost of $6,456 each. Payment will be based on standard hourly
rates with a guaranteed maximum cost of $20,000 for the two wells.
The 1976 -77 budget contains an appropriation of $20,000 for the
project.
J seph T fvlin
P blic Worts Director
KLP:jd
Att.
1
rj
�
I
t
!
!�
li
rl
11
Il
�.
I�
I I
Il
l)
1
s
! _
sti
�
_ --
!
7 i�D
a
1
fl + �l:
' `,; .
1
� t
4 , ,
HOLC * t
N
n \
a
n
r. o
0
1 h
14ot4 4-i
h
N4` 4tlPpRT
�I
7
� 1
4
h I'
�I
�r
� I
�r
e F �
\K4
O
ru
(4' Q
t 4�
n a
H R
c r�
h
r �
y
^ A
a�
n
eAGNEY
PROPERYY.
h
c
A
J111 _ 0.
R
j uL 12 1976
By tho CITY COUNCIL
CITy.. Op. K4WM
ILI pGl+ -H
RESOLUTION NO. `J
Is
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE A
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH AND GEORGE P.
ZEBAL & ASSOCIATES TO DRILL TWO WELLS ON
THE "CAGNEY PROPERTY" TO LOCATE A SOURCE
OF 'NOXIOUS GAS
WHEREAS, the "Cagney Property" and "Balboa Coves
Tracts" have been plagued with continuing noxious gas problem;
and
WHEREAS, the City entered into Cooperative Agree-
ment No. 3332 with the State of California to undertake
professional services to discover the source of the formations
containing said noxious gases; and
WHEREAS, Cooperative Agreement No. 3332 was amended
to allow the City to enter into a professional services
agreement to perform the work; and
WHEREAS, the State of California has agreed by said
Cooperative Agreement No. 3332, as amended, to pay one -half
of the costs of the professional services agreement or Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) whichever sum is Less; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the terms
and conditions of a proposed agreement between the City of
Newport Beach and George P. Zebal & Associates and finds them to
be satisfactory and further finds that it would be in the best
interest of the City to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute said agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of
the City of Newport Beach that said agreement above described
is hereby approved, and the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby
authorized and directed to execute the same on behalf of the.City
of Newport Beach.
ADOPTED this /.2 day of J4 Lip , 1976.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk HRC:yz
7/12/76
9
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
PERSONNEL OFFICE
July 5, 1977
TO: CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: PROGRESS REPORT - NOXIOUS GAS PROBLEM
Vent Hole Flow Rates
0
STUDY SESSION NO. 7
Tests to determine the current flow rates of gas being produced from the
3 vent holes located on State property in West Newport were conducted
from June 8 - 20, 1977. Based on the data collected, it is estimated
that the extent of the reservoir for each vent hole is as follows:
Vent
Hole
No.
1
- 19.9
Months
Vent
Hole
No.
3
- 29.3
Months
Vent
Hole
No.
5
- 44.9
Months
Flow will, of course, decline as the reservoir is depleted. It is
estimated therefore that it will take between 4 and 5 years to
completely void the reservoir of gas using the present method.
Construction of Collection System
Major components of the collection system have been identified and
ordered. The schedule is dependent on delivery of these components
and installation of the necessary electrical service.. Tentatively,
it is planned to assemble the pipe, valves, gages, and other miscellaneous
fittings during the first part of July. Trenching and construction
of the underground gathering system, vault, slabs, fenced enclosure, etc.
will be done during the second half of July. The system will be
connected, tested, and calibrated during the first two weeks in August.
Hopefully, a 90 day production test period can begin around August 15, 1977.
Estimated costs have increased from $20,000 to $25,000.
Frank Ivens
Assistant to
FI:kb
the City Manager
i
�- ��� tom- •
JUN 2 81976
By the CITY COUNCIL
CITY. OF I411WMNT. 860,0H
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Public Works Department
June 28, 1976
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
ITEM NO. H-2(n)
SUBJECT: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NO. 3332 WITH THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA FOR SHARING THE COST OF DRILLING WELLS ON STATE
PROPERTY TO LOCATE A SOURCE OF NOXIOUS GAS.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a
proposed amendment to Cooperative Agreement No. 3332.
DISCUSSION:
On April 16, 1976, the City entered into Cooperative Agreement
No. 3332 with the State of California. The original agreement provides that the
City will prepare plans and specifications, let bids, and administer a contract
to drill up to four wells (on the Cagney property) to intercept and dispose of
noxious gas; and that the State will pay one -half the cost of the contract or
$10,000, whichever is less. The location is shown on the attached sketch.
Because of the highly specialized nature of the drilling and the geo-
logic investigation, it is felt that the work could be executed more economically
and more satisfactorily under a professional services agreement.
The proposed amendment to Cooperative Agreement No. 3332 allows the
City to enter into a professional services agreement with George P. Zebal to
perform the required work; and provides that the State will pay one -half the
cost of said service agreement or $10,000, whichever is less.
The City will pay 100% of the cost of the technical report, the plans,
and the cost of administering the technical services agreement.
rse�e.v -�Gy,
ph T. Devlin
is W* ks Director
KLP:jd
Att.
lr
I.
rl
j 11►
t.111.1 I
< .1 1-
m
N 1 r
lk q
t 5n
�IN
I
By :..a .::.; f 'a:
RESOLUTION NO. 8749
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND
CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH AND THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA BUSINESS AND TRANSPORTATION
AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN CON-
NECTION WITH THE NOXIOUS GAS SEEPAGE CONTROL 'V
PROBLEM IN WEST NEWPORT BEACH
WHEREAS, there has been presented to the City Council
of the City of Newport Beach a certain cooperative agreement
between the City of Newport Beach and the State of California
Business and Transportation Agency, Department of Transportation,
in connection with the noxious gas seepage control problem in
West Newport Beach; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the terms
and conditions of said agreement and found them to be fair and
equitable, and in the best interests of the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council
of the City of Newport Beach that said cooperative agreement
above described is approved, and the Mayor and City Clerk are
hereby authorized and directed to execute the same on behalf of
the City of Newport Beach.
ADOPTED this 12th day of April
r
ATTEST:
City Clerk
, 1976.
DDO /bc
4/9/76
0
BALBOA COVES GAS ODOR i
Council Mtg. Date.
Contracts
Companies Minute Book
- Volume & Page. No. -Res. No.
7/14/69
C -1236
Aprv. Plns & Specs
V23 -6
7/28/69
V23 -20
7037
8/11/69
C -1236C
Union Oil
V23 -27
7037
8/11/69
C -1236
Jenkins Construction
V23 -28
7048
12/8/69
Work Accepted
V23 -133
1/24/72
(Stf dir
put burner system back in full operat
Y26 -23
on in safe order)
9/25 - postponed
V26 -271
10 /10 postponed
V26 -287
10 -24 -72
(Phase III
/Stf dir prep specs /go to bid)
V26 -303
11 -27 -72
(Plans &
Specs aprvd)
V26 -345
1 -8 -73
C -1494L
Brunner /Kindel & Kindel
V27 -7
R -7905
1 -8 -73
C -1494
B.Q. Halloran
V27 -7
R -7904
5-7 -73
Work Accepted
V27 -113
1 -8 -73
Res f /GE
re odor red sys
V27 -7
R -7905
11 -27 -74
Approp $9,000
/acpt $2000 contributn Balboa
Coves Assoc /V28 -288
r '
•
1C- C.P.c�✓7`G: � .�� L if -iii✓ ��'�' � %'
November 25, 1974
-.::-gib w?i= �Ca*%a�Cd4F RFA,c: ?•!!!///
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: BALBOA COVES NOXIOUS ODOR PROBLEM
OPTIONS:
DISCUSSION:
STUDY SESSION AGENDA
ITEM NO. 5
1. Continue present operation of existing system.
2. Appropriate $9,000 and accept a $2,000 contribution
from the Balboa Coves Community Association to expand
the existing underground collection system.
3. Consider purchasing the gas station site at the
entrance to Balboa Coves.
On April 19, 1974, a delegation from the Balboa Coves Community
Association met with the Mayor and members of the City staff to discuss odor
problems caused by noxious gases near the entrance to Balboa Coves.
The consensus appeared to be that the $25,000 spent to date for
an experimental gas collection and disposal system has reduced the magnitude
of the problem, but has not solved it. The following methods of further
reducing the odor problem were discussed:
1. Reactivate the original gas burner installed by the City.
This burner had been turned off at the request of the
residents.
2. Construct a shallow addition to the existing underground
collection system. The proposed addition to the collection
system would be designed to collect gas at a shallow depth
underneath the sidewalk along the Pacific Coast Highway. It
was suggested that the cost be shared by the City, the Balboa
Coves Community Association, and the owner of the adjoining
automotive repair shop.
3. Construct a more efficient gas - burner. The estimated cost
for one fume incinerator installed is $12,000. The annual
operating costs are estimated to be $2,500 per year for fuel
and power at present rates, plus maintenance. It was noted
that little would be gained by installing a more sophisti-
cated burner if a large percentage of the gas was escaping
the collection system.
4. Purchase the property occupied by the automotive repair shop,
demolish the improvements, construct an impervious plastic
blanket underneath the surface, and pave the surface. It
'November 25, 1974
Subject: Balboa CovNoxious Odor Problem
Page 2
was felt that to develop an efficient collection system
the purchase of the adjoining property would be required.
The market value of the property is estimated to be $80,000.
As a result of the meeting the staff was asked to reactivate the
original burner and to prepare a detailed plan and cost estimate for a low
cost shallow addition to the existing collection system.
Since the meeting the original burner has been put back into
operation and a plan for a low cost shallow addition to the collection
system has been prepared. The estimated cost for the shallow addition is
$10,000.
The original burner, while in operation, is in poor condition and
will require a complete overhaul if it is to continue to be used. The esti-
mated cost of the overhaul is $1,000.
The Balboa Coves Community Association has stated that it will
contribute $2,000 to enlarge the collection system. On October 6, 1974 the
City received a letter from James H. Kindel, Jr. stating that the owners of
the former service station are not interested in participating in the project
beyond the amount they contribute through their membership in the Balboa
Coves Community Association.
If approved the project will start upon deposit of $2,000 by the
Association with the City Finance Department.
In connection with this project, it should be pointed out that a
lawsuit has been filed against the City by Employers Casualty Company and
Margaret Bertuleit in the amount of $84,150.82, plus costs and damages in
an amount not yet ascertained. The complaint alleges that the City and
others carelessly permitted the maintaining or altering of subsurface gaseous
conditions existing under the premises at 46 Balboa Coves and other permises.
A copy of a report to the City Council from the Public Works
Department dated September 25, 1972 is attached as reference for the new
Council members. A copy of Mr. Zebal's report is available in the Public
Works Department.
Mr. Don Swango of the Balboa Coves Community Association has
stated that he will be available to answer any questions the Council may
have regarding the participation of the Association.
Joseph T Devlin
P blic Works in
K P:hh
Attachment
J September 25, 1972
TO: CITY COUNCIL
F- ;z
FROM: Public Works Department
SUBJECT: NOXIOUS ODORS ADJACENT TO BALBOA COVES'
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. That Phase III Report of the present program be complef8d
at the earliest possible date.
2. That all future work on private property be done under
the direction of the property owners with maximum use
being made of private contractors.
3. That the operation of the existing experimental burner
be turned over to the Association.
DISCUSSION:
The Mayor has requested a report on the existing program to control
noxious odors in the vicinity of Balboa Coves.
To help bring the new Councilmen up to date some background informa-
tion has been included.
Although a number of tests and studies have been undertaken to deter-
mine its origin, the source of the noxious gases remains uncertain. Some con-
sultants hold it to be mainly marsh gas caused by decaying vegetable matter,
and others claim it to be of petroleum origin.
Over the years, several property owners in the area have with some
success installed burners and gas lights to help burn off the gas. The theory
is that the lighter inflammable methane will burn off the heavy odor producing
hydrogen sulfide.
In 1969, because of continuing odor problems, the City, the Union Oil
Company, and the Balboa Coves Association entered into a three way agreement
whereby an experimental burner was installed on private property adjacent to
Pacific Coast Highway and southerly of the Union Oil Station. The City agreed
to maintain the installation for a period of 5 years (until 1974).
While the experimental burner has been of benefit to the area, it
does have some limitations and operation problems. Soon after being installed,
the motor was destroyed by sulfuric acid. Mr. George Zebal, local geologist
and consultant was asked to make recommendations as to how to alter the system.
A three phase program was.conceived as follows:
Phase 1: Develop a method for keeping the gas burner lit
at all times without the benefit of a blower.
September 25, 1972 •
Page 2
Subject: Noxious Odors Adjacent to Balboa Coves
Phase 2: Recommend a cost- effective means of refurbishing
the currently installed noxious gas odor reduction
system for the purpose of increasing its opera-
tional efficiency.
Phase 3: Design and estimate costs for a system that will
eliminate the noxious odor problem in the Balboa
Coves Tract.
Phase 1 was completed on July 22, 1971 with the purchase and in-
stallation of an Atmospheric Pilot Gas Burner and Ignition Transformer.
Later, a natural gas pilot light was added.
A report on Phase 2 was submitted to the City on January 18, 1972.
Mr. Zebal is currently working on Phase 3
As a result of Phase 2 the burner was remodeled by the City and an
explosion proof motor was installed. The underground scavenging system con-
tinues to collect water and the installation now requires pumping on a weekly
basis.
Because of the difficulty the City faces in defending itself against
the claims of property owners, the Public Works Department trys to avoid doing
work of any type on private property. In the case of the noxious odor control
the situation is even more unfavorable than usual. The City has little expertise
in this field and is not sufficiently staffed to meet all of the expectations of
the property owners. Based on our experience with the experimental burner in
Balboa Coves the staff feels that a more satisfactory approach for all concerned
would be for the City to place the installation, operation and maintenance of
the burner directly under the control of the Community Association. If the
Council felt that the City should participate, the participation could take
place in the form of a direct subsidy, and both administrative and technical
assistance by the City.
The present justification for City participation is based on an
experiment to see if a burner with a blower could be used successfully. Once
the odor control program proceeds beyond the experimental and study stage the
future role of the City should be reassessed. There are a number of burners
in use throughout the City. Whatever action the City takes in Balboa Coves
would have to be applied City wide.
Mr. George Zebal has recently been contacted regarding the status of the plans
and report for Phase III. Mr. Zebal has stated that his work will be completed
within 2 weeks. As soon as the report is received it will be forwarded to the
City Council.
At the writing of this report the City received a letter from Mr.
Jack F. King, Secretary of the Balboa Coves Community Association requesting
September 25, 1972 — • •
Pde 3
Subject: Noxious Odors Adjacent to Balboa Coves
a place on the September 25, 1972 Council agEnda. The staff is trying to
contact Mr. King with a suggestion that the matter be delayed until the
October 10th meeting. It is hoped that the Phase 3 report will be completed
for the first meeting in October.
l
aph Devlin
lic rks Director
hh
April 12, 1974
Balboa Coves Community Association
P. O. Box 1224
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Attention: Mr. Jack F. King, Secretary
Pending your meeting with the City staff on April 18, your
letter regarding the obnoxious odor problem will not be
listed on the April 11 agenda as you were previously
informed in my letter of April 10.
If at a later time you wish the matter to go before the
Council, please notify me.
Laura Lagios, C. M. C.
City Clerk
LL:dg
�4_ -7. -X-
`J
BALBOA COVES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
P. O. Boa 1224
Newport Beach, California 92663
April 4, 1974
City Clerk
City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Blvd.
Newport Beach, Ca. 92660
Dear Madam:
The Balboa Coves Community Association wishes to appear
before the City Council Monday, April 22, 1974.
The Association wishes to discuss the problem of the
obnoxious odors.
Thank you for your assistance.
APR 10 1974
...............................
❑ Cuoacilmew
Sincerely,
act F. King
Secretary
April 10, 1974
Balboa Coves Community Association
P. o. i.= 1224
Newport Beach, "'A 22660
Attention: Jack F. King, Secretary
Your letter regardinp, the obnoxious odor problem will be
placed an the Agenda for the City Council meeting of
April 22, 1974. At that time, yrou will have the opportunity
of appearing before the Council.
As you know, Council meetings are held in the Council Chambers
of City Hall, 3300 Newport Boulevard, Newport Beach, zind
oonmence at 7:30 p.m..
Lamna lagios, CMC
City Clerk
cc: City Manager
Business License Departnant
'); . r J<
1
M
AM
GEORGE P. ZEBAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION OF GEOLOGY
NOXIOUS GAS SEEPAGE CONTROL PROGRAM
IN NEWPORT BEACH,
EXPLORATION PHASE
a
Client:
City of Newport Beach
Public Works Department
Professional Services
Agreement No. C1839
15 September 1976
STUDY SESSION
NO...
P.O. BOX 1822, NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92663 • (714) 642 -5588
r
NOXIOUS GAS SEEPAGE CONTROL PROGRAM
IN NEWPORT BEACH,
EXPLORATION PHASE
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
For many years a serious environmental problem has
existed in the Balboa Coves and "Cagney" Tracts in west
Newport Beach by reason of the natural seepage of
noxious gas into these areas. An expanded solution to
the problem was enhanced when the State of California,
Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) notified the
City of Newport Beach (City) that it was planning to
sell the State -owned "Cagney Tract." This led to the
submittal of an unsolicited proposal by Zebal & As-
sociates to submit a plan to locate and intercept gas
at depth in an effort to eliminate surface seepage from
effected areas. The proposal was accepted and the
resulting report was submitted to the City on 1 March
1976. On lb April 1976, the City entered into a cost -
sharing contract with the State of California, Cooperative
Agreement No. 3332, to administer a professional services
agreement to accomplish drilling on the "Cagney Tract."
On 29 June 1976, Zebal & Associates were requested by the
City to submit a letter of proposal to cost- effectively
drill several shallow exploratory holes. The proposal
was accepted and authorized by the City Council through
Resolution No. 8838 on 12 July 1976. Work was initiated
on 3 August 1976.
Since 1967 many efforts have been made to alleviate the
surface seepage of noxious gas invading the Balboa Coves
Tract. Excavation of the bluffs on the "Cagney Tract"
initiated surface seepage in that area. From 1967 to
date, work by Zebal & Associates finally developed suf-
ficient geological and reservoir engineering data to
propose that the source of the surface seeps were shallow
gas sands contained in various fault blocks paralleling
the north shore of the western reaches of Balboa Bay.
Based on experience in west Newport Beach oil wells, it
was believed that lenticular or stray gas sands would be
found in Miocene Division "A" and "B" zones to depths of
600 feet. When the extent of financial backing was
revealed, the proposed plan was modified to consider core
holes to maximum depths of 150 feet to be located on the
State -owned "Cagney Tract."
Three core holes were drilled, two discovered dry gas
sands in separate fault blocks and a third was devoid of
any gas shows which served to limit the extent of the
near surface reservoir to the east. This report serves
. 2-1 0 0
to summarize the initial geological and engineering data
obtained from the drilling program.
DRILLING PLAN
A thrust fault has been defined (see Reference 1) that
passes through the Balboa Coves Tract and beneath the
"Cagney Tract." Along the trace of the thrust fault, at
least three separate fault blocks are present on the
"Cagney Tract," each separated by transverse normal
faults. Therefore, each block has the capability of con-
taining separate shallow gas reservoirs. Since the
volume of gas seeping to the surface in the Balboa Coves
area appears to have increased from 1967 to date, a sub-
stantial gas - bearing reservoir must be present; hence, a
series of shallow core holes drilled on the "Cagney
Tract" appeared to have a good chance of encountering
reservoir sands.
The proposed drilling plan consisted of locating a
minimum of two holes on the most prominent fault blocks
adjacent to Balboa Coves. Additional holes were proposed
provided that the limit of financing was not exceeded.
To implement the plan, Dick Howell's Hole Drilling Service
was retained and the engineering services of James S.
Gilstrap were provided by the City. The City, as
Operator, also provided drilling permits and drilling
bonds, location surveys, a water line, and location clean-
up services. An extremely sensitive methane detector
(General Monitors, Inc. Model 180 solid state methane
monitor) was purchased to determine the presence of
residual gas in core samples recovered. Residual gas
percentage curves shown on the graphic well reports at-
test to the efficacy of this instrument.
DRILLING PROGRAM
The following section describes the drilling and com-
pletion program conducted at each well site.
Well No. 1, State of California
Well No. 1 was located on a narrow down - dropped fault
block which appeared to be related to the major seepage
area beneath the former Union Oil Co. service station
in Balboa Coves. Specifically, the location lies
-2-
�. 0 •
3,730 feet west and 2,976 feet north of the southeast
corner of Section 28, T. 6 S., R. 10 W., S.B.B. & M.
The site was placed in an open space midway between the
north margin of Coast Highway and the cyclone fence en-
closing the City - leased parking lot. It lies 33 feet
north of Coast Highway and 110 feet east of the center-
line of the parking lot access road. Ground level
elevation at this site is 10.4 feet above mean sea level.
on 3 August 1976, a 32 -inch diameter hole was drilled to
a depth of 17 feet through weathered, gas - bearing,
Miocene Division "A" shale. At 15 feet, a dry gas sand
was encountered. When the sand was penetrated, there
was an immediate strong puff of noxious gas followed by
a continuous flow. The hole was reamed to 38 inches in
diameter, 17 feet of used, 26 -inch diameter, 40 pounds
per foot line pipe was inserted, and the annulus was
cemented to the surface with 54 cubic feet of ready mix
cement. A 30 -inch diameter, 'h inch thick, steel plate
was prewelded to the 26 -inch casing. To this plate, a
30 -inch diameter, ; inch thick, steel flange was bolted
using a double thickness of rubber cut from a truck in-
nertube for a gasket. A centrally located 3 -inch collar
and an off- center one inch collar were prewelded onto
the flange. A used, 200 pound pressure rated, 3 -inch
valve was affixed to the 3 -inch collar and a plug was
inserted into the one inch collar. 15 feet of 3 -inch
galvanized pipe was attached to the valve and a burner
head was fabricated to flare the gas.
After cement had hardened, a 16 -inch diameter hole was
drilled through dry gas sand to 42 feet. At 42 feet
some black shale was encountered, so drilling was ter-
minated to prevent the possible influx of water from a
deeper zone. Lithologic descriptions and residual gas
percentage values are shown on an appended graphic well
report for the subject well.
The No. 1 observation and test well was temporarily com-
pleted on 6 August 1976 by setting 42 feet of used, 7-
inch, 23 pounds per foot, J 55 casing to total depth.
The base of the casing was shop perforated for a distance
of 25 feet. The perforations consist of 2 -inch, 40 mesh
(0.040 inch) slots cut on 6 -inch centers at 48 slots per
foot. A centralizer was welded to the base of the 7-
inch casing and it was set openended (no bull plug).
The hole was gravel packed to prevent caving with 10
mesh quartz gravel from total depth to 10 feet below
ground level.
-3-
The No. 1 well is currently being produced by flaring
the gas while awaiting tests of its delivery potential.
Well No. 2, State of California
Well No. 2 was located on an upthrown fault block lying
east of Well No. 1. It was drilled to attempt to
determine the easterly extent of shallow gas sands.
The location is 390 feet east of Well No. 1 in the open
space midway between Coast Highway and the fence en-
closing the City - leased parking lot. It is 3,345 feet
west and 2,912 feet north of the southeast corner of
Section 28, T. 6 S., R. 10 W., S.B.B. & M. Ground
elevation is 9.8 feet above mean sea level.
On 5 August 1976, a 28 -inch diameter hole was drilled to
15 feet. A 16 -inch diameter hole was carried to 34 feet.
At that depth an impenetrable stratum (probably a massive
calcareous concretion) was encountered. From ground
level to a depth of 4 feet, brown clay (artificial fill)
existed. The top of black, weathered, Miocene Division
"A" shale was found at that depth. Dry, weathered shale
with no trace of gas was present to 2.2 feet. Less
weathered shale bearing minor amounts of water in frac-
ture zones and no residual gas lay from 22 feet to total
depth. Some water was encountered at the top of the hard
zone at 34 feet. Because water was encountered and ab-
solutely no residual gas was detected, Well No. 3 was
immediately abandoned by dumping 68 cubic feet of ready
mix slurry in the hole. The cement filled the hole to a
depth of 4 feet below ground level; the remainder of the
hole was filled with clay cuttings. This operation was
witnessed by a Division of Oil and Gas engineer. A
detailed lithologic log is appended. The hole was
abandoned on 5 August 1976.
Well No. 3, State of California
Well No. 3 was located on an upthrown fault block 500
feet west of Well No. 1. It was drilled to determine
the continuity of shallow gas sands to the west. The
location lies 4,223 feet west and 3,058 feet north of
the southeast corner of Section 28, T. 6 S., R. 10 W.,
S.B.B. & M. The ground level elevation is 11.0 feet
above mean sea level. The well is located in a broad
flat area created by excavation of the bluffs on the
"Cagney Tract." It lies 33 feet north of the northerly
margin of Coast Highway.
The well was commenced on 11 August 1976 by drilling a
-4-
Tqr i i
32 -inch hole to 83 feet. Formations penetrated included
4 feet of loose sand (fill derived from Pleistocene
beach sands capping the bluff); 5 feet of weathered,
black, Miocene Division "A" shale with no show of
residual gas; 2 feet of very hard, calcareous concretions;
35 feet of black shale containing gradually increasing
amounts of residual gas and some water associated with
fractures and thin sand lenses; and 36 feet of dry, black
shale carrying a constant amount of residual gas. At
82� feet, a dry gas sand was encountered. There was an
immediate strong blow of gas when the sand was penetrated
followed by a continuous flow.
83 feet of used, 20 -inch diameter, 48 pounds per foot
line pipe was welded together on the surface of the
ground. A 24 -inch diameter, k inch thick, steel plate
was welded to the casing. The casing was set in the hole
with a crane with the steel plate at ground level. The
casing was cemented into the hole by Halliburton Oil Well
Cementing Co. using a two stage procedure. The first
stage consisted of '15 sacks of Class G cement and 15
sacks of Cal -seal for rapid setting. The second stage
required 150 sacks of Class G cement and 4 sacks of cal-
cium chloride to bring the column of cement to 4 feet
below ground level. After setting, the level of cement
dropped to 5 feet below the surface and a very minor seep
of gas broke through outside of the casing. A 24 -inch
diameter, k inch thick, steel flange was bolted to the
plate using a double thickness of rubber cut from a truck
innertube for a gasket. A centrally located 9 -inch col-
lar and an off- center one inch collar were prewelded onto
the flange. A 9 inches long length of 9 -inch casing was
inserted in the 9 -inch collar and a 9 -inch diameter, k
inch thick plate was prewelded to the short length of 9-
inch casing. A 3 -inch collar was welded to this plate.
A used, 200 pounds pressure rated, 3 -inch valve was
mounted on the 3 -inch collar and a one inch ball valve
was inserted into the one inch collar. 15 feet of used,
3 -inch, steel pipe was attached to the 3 -inch valve and
a burner head was fabricated to flare the gas.
On 16 August 1976, a 16 -inch diameter hole was drilled to
99 feet. The dry gas sand proved to be 4� feet thick
(from 82� to 87 feet). At 96 feet, a water sand bearing
some gas was encountered. Lithologic details and per-
centages of residual gas with depth are denoted on an
appended graphic well report.
The No. 3 observation and test well was temporarily com-
pleted on 20 August 1976 by setting 97 feet of used, 7-
inch diameter, 23 pounds per foot, J 55 casing to total
-5-
depth. The base of the casing was shop perforated for a
distance of 15 feet above a welded bull plug. The per -
forations consist of 2 -inch, 40 mesh slots cut on 6 -inch
centers at 48 slots per foot. A centralizer was welded
to the base of the casing. The hole was gravel packed
with 10 mesh quartz gravel from total depth to 65 feet
below gr ound level and then filled to 50 feet with clay
cuttings. The 7 -inch casing was centered in the top of
the hole with a wooden block.
Since it was known that water was entering the hole from
96 to 99 feet, a bailer was run to determine the water
level. It was found to be standing at 88 feet, hence,
the gas sand present from 8.2� to 87 feet is not effected.
RESULTS
The No. 1, State of California Well was temporarily con -
pleted in a very shallow, dry, Miocene Division "A"
stray sand that is 27 feet thick. Under the microscope,
the sand is a very clean, loose, very fine to coarse
grain, angular to subangular grain, quartz sand with
much biotite mica. It is estimated that the porosity
is at least 30 percent by volume and the permeability
should approach one darcy. Shut -in gas pressure has
been monitored at weekly intervals since completion of
the well. The pressure has stabilized itself at 1.5
psig (pounds per square inch measured by a gauge). The
gas is currently being flared awaiting analysis of its
composition and tests of the volume being produced.
The No. 3, State of California Well was also temporarily
completed in a dry, Miocene Division "A" stray sand that
is 4� feet thick. The character of the sand is identical
to that in Well No. 1. After two weeks, the shut -in gas
pressure has stabilized at 5.0 psig. This well is also
being flared while awaiting tests.
Reservoir and test data will be included in a future
report when data become available.
The results of the program can be evaluated in the fol-
lowing manner. The two flares erected by the City in
Balboa Coves are still burning but the volume of gas
being flared is about 10 percent that being produced
prior to the completion of Well No. 1. Four ornamental
lamps were installed by homeowners in Balboa Coves to
scavenge gas from beneath their homes. All of these
lamps have ceased burning. Discussions with specific
Q.
homeowners who were most effected by the seepage of gas
has disclosed that, in all cases, the gas odor within
their respective homes has disappeared.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
From the above evidence, it can be tentatively concluded
that the drilling program was successful in discovering
the gas reservoir sands that are feeding the seeps in
the Balboa Coves and "Cagney" Tracts. The existence of
residual gas in surface shales demonstrates the extent
to which gas is escaping on the "Cagney Tract." By
depleting the gas from these reservoirs, it may be pos-
sible to terminate the Balboa Coves and "Cagney Tract"
noxious gas problems. The time required to accomplish
complete exhaustion of gas from these reservoir sands is
unknown.. By monitoring loss of gas pressure and as-
sociated volume with time, a curve can eventually be con-
structed to predict the length of time required to
deplete the gas from these sands.
Each well produces gas from a different sand inhabiting
a different fault block. From sensory evidence, the gas
from Well No. 1 appears to be identical to that seeping
into Balboa Coves; gas from Well No. 3 has much less
hydrogen sulfide content. The complete lack of water in
the gas sands which lie well below mean sea level can be
explained as a function of the following factors. On
the "Cagney Tract," outcropping Miocene Division "A"
shale exhibits a structural strike of N 350 E and a dip
of 12 degrees to the northwest. Therefore, the shallow
gas sands are gently rising toward Balboa Bay while the
surface of the ground falls frcm 10.4 feet at Well No. 1
to 7.5 feet above mean sea level in the Balboa Coves
Tract. As shown on Map 3 of the report of 1 March 1976
(see Reference 1), the Bluffs thrust fault cuts off the
gas sand isolated in Well No. 1 along the bayfront shore-
line. Noxious gas is enabled to escape from this sand
via vertical fractures in the thin shale cover lying
between the gas sand and the recent beach and river bar
sand upon which the Balboa Coves community is built.
Water appears to be eliminated by a shale seal created
by the thrust fault and existing at a very critical
location relative to Balboa Bay.
It is recommended that the drilling program be continued
by drilling exploratory Hole No. 4 at a location that can
be described as follows:
-7-
,-- *W. 0
700 feet west of
at a right angle
Coast Highway.
Well No. 3 and 83 feet north
from the centerline of Pacific
An exploratory hole at this location will investigate the
presence of shallow gas in the most westerly fault block
on the "Cagney Tract."
If Hole No. 4 is devoid of gas sand and sufficient funds
are still available, it is recommended that development
Hole No. 5 be drilled at a location that can be described
as follows:
200 feet west of Well No. 1 and 283 feet north
at a right angle from the centerline of Pacific
Coast Highway.
A hole at this location will determine a northerly ex-
tension of the shallow gas sand discovered by Well No. 1.
Since this sand in this fault block most severely effects
the Balboa Coves community and the "Cagney Tract," post -
exploratory development wells should concentrate on this
shallow reservoir sand to permit more rapid depletion of
gas.
REFERENCE
1. 2ebal, George P., "Noxious Gas Seepage Control Program
(Preliminary)," City of Newport Beach, Dept. of
Public Works, 1 March 1976.
2-M
GEORGE P. ZEBAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION OF GEOLOGY
GRMIC WELL REPORT
Company:
City of Newport Beach
Area:
Newport
Contractor:
Dick IIowell
Commenced
8 -03 -76
Completed
8 -13 -76
Casing Record:
26 -inch conductor set at 17 feet
7 -inch casing set at 42 feet
Sample
Low` Sample Description
l✓eal!Ser d 6 1ac.E, ve yJ /ly,
veey rnrcaceeu� srGah
S6a/e as above w. ft OA,^
Y[ry
:.�..,...:. 1e vey fine y /arn sand
vent .5r / /y. Ime, 9/°.n
:a !. 3ancf
Loose /y.(><y /sy, c %any vv
free fe medrum9/arn .sand
Con 4e {rarw5 <Ca/eo/COVJ)
Laoe� try (tynsy, char, ve/y
1,4e A cca/Je yiorn, anyN/a/
% sa6round(ee% yerafZ
.Sand
faro by r /Ay' rr yA,)d
L000c sanel a n6eve:
Depth
Feet
below
GL
G. 1.
voJ
20
30
40
T.O. 42'
Wells State of California No. ;.
Locationt
3730 feet west and 297E feet north of
SE corner of Sec. 28, 6 5, R 10 11.
Elevation:
Ground Level 10.4 feet PISL
Kelly Bushing (Not applicable)
Remarks: Temporarily completed as an
observation, and test well
Gas Percentage* Remarks
0 50 100
i
rl/o r4-nee n'�9aJ
sin.[ n.�yas rn .Sand Zones
Iin.r;Ca�'a%G /ru�f e! S7a .r � n! /du/CILr /may
„ Gan �in UelJ..� f/O FV� Jrr,a/• C/¢1!/'S
26 a". 610w /io /cs vrsr6 /c rn /00x
.sand of 6e1Yem of fie /G� 26 -rnt1,
Cen.l,cfe/ se�a� /7fulondeu+�en.'ix
�6 Ju i�LG
L'an {in ue.d an.� mC/CcaJ rn9 brb,./ of
943 '
7- /nc.A Ca J, n9 Jcf of r. o. m,d guava/
pacs -a A IvrA41n /O /cc/ of 6L
7"1 At rO /oaf ce/c r..anfamcci mrge/
amoun7 sf h4c.E. -54ak-
*E1asidual gas present in dry samples and expressed as percent of an explosive mixture; hence,
100% residual gas equals 5% mixture of methane in air.
AEW
AW
GEORGE P. ZEBAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION OF GEOLOGY
GRAPHIC WELL REPORT
Company: City of Newport Beach
Areas Newport
Contractor, nick Howell
Commenced 8 -05 -76
Completed 8 -05 -76
Casing Records
None used
Sample
LP9 Sample Description Depth
Feet
below
GL
Brawn o� ®y
A"d&M e+e4, 614 C.',✓e yJ.//y,
1/eoy M/caceeo4J -TAn/e W,/6
Q6undAn� /6ran,nlfY/v.
Ae&Me,edJ6a1e as axed &v A
Ave ,r„ere-
c ys /a/a of yyoaa n C ?)
A✓ealhe,vd ayAa/C as "o✓e Nv14
f+Ln Ce / `) ✓e y a, //y, ✓& y
•..�........ fine,gia.n nand t•nes
..........
%ft 6/a�E, ro,eaceecv sfa,$
GL
/0
e?a
30
Wells State of California No. 2
Location:
3345 feet west and 2912 feet north of
SE corner of Sec. 28, T 6 S, R 10 W.
Elevations
Ground Level 9.8 feet MSL
Kelly Bushing (not applicable)
Remarksi Abandoned after recovering
water at 34 feet
Gas Percentage*
0 50 100
No fence •f
res,dVa/,gaaIn
da,no /es
Remarks
S/.ydf fe %'d 004er,n•94s
F- auAvies and sand Serves 6 /ew',A
tnna/ anfeunYiS of /✓a1%r/� yu.Y
At T.D. encodntcied w y Aa d,
Imjoe4e1,uj1e /ir nafron ��✓w6a6/y
ca✓eoreocv c+,ne,x�ien sa.,ei
Residual gas present in dry samples and expressed as percent of an explosive
mixture; hence, 100% residual gas equals 5% mixture of methane in air.
GEORGE P. ZEBAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION OF GEOLOGY
W.7`J3(4Fir i1if'7H:�]'�1
Company: City of Newport Beach
Area: Newport
Contractor: Dick Howell
Commenced 8 -11 -76
Completed 8 -20 -76
Casing Record:
20 -inch conductor set at 63 feet
7 -inch casino set at 98 feet with
basal 15 feet preperforated
Sample
Log Sample Description D ; eppt�n�
e
below
GL
Buff• hna A Medwn yew•n GL
Jane[.ina&VI f //1
%✓Ea,%it/Ca(� d /ac4� vuy s. /Ify
v&y m/eaaeaca JRa/G
, /and, ca ww"y eancrefian.r /Q
M&A4&r.d aAait d a6evt
Clean, {ineS w4 wash! ,1a4d
B/a e.E1.r/tp. J•Ny, rte/
f.WAV•>a
50
Wells State of California No. 3
Locations
4223 feet west and 3058 feet north of
SE corner of Sec, 28, T 6 S, R 10 W.
Elevation:
(around Level
Kelly Bushing (Not applicable)
Remarks: Temporarily completed as an
observation and test well
Gas Percentage* Remarks
0 50 100
(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
.hind podae.•ny i.+..rer anaen� of wafer
-%(Oh •v Iveiandyv..r„y, frecluie�
6/eed. y .pima a WVA1 -V of Wash/
491'a4k, ve-y silly, very
........... MCdee &Oj 'Mak Aw'M
OCC00,040/ Arlin
-5ytteaAs of J way, w&yy,11
y,
MICdCedtAY, WVY fine
-9twn 'Ianae
..........
I I
GRAPHIC WELL REPORT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA NO. 3
(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
40
so
160
.._.......I F- 70
M
aycle y 4A� Ae Mine
land
alttcA.Mak Hum( Mrn ado.6 -90
'To'"r
cdev'le '14nw groin)
ZtpAlyrwy, elcaA,,p*,Wyew,n —
'yV4Ka^9V1't.- 9aarAi wn.br r. 0.
Sand
20
,YA&k ,,y dy;,Arwc1aow and A(m
,Yard zd"C3 CoAAS'n Y0.7
r^.nAZeA
lw4awd 6y C-04 Arn e/0 Go /Aw'. Zo -m CA
C0^01MCAV- cad,^
y,
CVMeA%d 10S14:e1'6a~
Ma&, 6%r^d carriw j~ c yaj; 7-r^c-<
Ca0en9'sell all T.O. a4Ce9ftVC1'04CAed
A ovo 114 on fs'lezI 0/16 Z
*Residual gas present in dry samples and expressed as percent of an explosive
mixture; hence, 100% residual gas equals 5% mixture of methane in air.
h ACW •
-rte
GEORGE P. ZEBAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION OF GEOLOGY
NOXIOUS GAS SEEPAGE CONTROL PROGRAM
IN NEWPORT BEACH
(PRELIMINARY)
Client:
City of Newport Beach
1 March 1976
STUDY SESSION
NO. �
P.O. BOX 1822, NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92663 • (714) 642 -5588
AOW
Aw
GEORGE P. ZEBAL AND ASSOCIATES
INDUSTRIAL UTILIZATION OF GEOLOGY
9 March 1976
City of Newport Beach
3300 Newport Boulevard
Newport Beach, California 92663
Attention: Mr. Robert L. Wynn, City Manager
Mr. Joseph T. Devlin, Public Works
Director
Mr. Kenneth L. Perry, Assistant
City Engineer
Gentlemen:
Transmitted herewith is a report entitled, Noxious Gas
Seepage Control Program in Newport Beach (Preliminary)."
This report describes the noxious gas seepage problem
in the Balboa Coves Tract, "Cagney Tract," and old
MoBoTel areas by summarizing geological and reservoir
engineering data collected over an 8 year period. It
is intended as a companion plan to supplement the
Division of oil and Gas pressure relief program in-
volving the improperly abandoned oil wells in the West
Beach area.
A plan designed to intercept gas at depth is recommended.
This will consist of dtilling up to four shallow wells
(500 -foot depth range) on the undeveloped, state -owned
"Cagney Tract." The estimated volume of gas to be
produced is commercially unattractive; hence, provisions
to flare the gas will have to be considered.
Respectfully submitted,
ciy,jo. P.
Georgd P. Zebal
Principal Associate
Registered Geologist,
State of California,
No. 2019
P.O. BOX 1822: NEWPORT BEACH. CALIFORNIA 92663 (714) 842 -8688
CONTENTS
Section
Page
Introduction
1
History
2
Catalogue of Noxious Gas Seeps in Newport Beach 4
Composition of Noxious Gas
9
Geology:
Stratigraphy
12
Structure
12
Investigations of Major Seepage Areas
17
Estimates of Volume of Gas in Surficial Sand
Reservoirs
20
Estimates of Volume of Seeping Gas
22
Recommended Solution:
Introduction
27
Proposed Program
28
Determination of Well Locations and Depth
Factors
28
List of References
Appendix I
MAPS, FIGURES, AND TABLES
Table 1: Comparative Analyses of Seepage Gas,
Marsh Gas, Utility Gas, and Oil
Field Gas 11
Figure 1: Photograph of the Surface Trace of
the Bluffs Thrust Fault 14
Map 1: Regional Map of Newport Beach
Noxious Gas Seeps 15
(i)
i
Figure
2: Photographs Showing Test Tool
in Place Venting Gas and Method
of Measuring Height of Gas Flame
Map 2:
Noxious Gas Seepage Potential
Map, MoBoTel Area
Map 3:
Noxious Gas Seepage Potential
Map, Balboa Coves Tract ,
Map 4:
Locations of Proposed Holes on
the "Cagney Tract"
I W
(ii)
Page
19
Pocket
Pocket
Pocket
1. . • •
NOXIOUS GAS SEEPAGE CONTROL PROGRAM
IN NEWPORT BEACH
(PRELIMINARY)
INTRODUCTION
This report summarizes data concerning noxious gas seeps
in Newport Beach, provides geological and reservoir en-
gineering information, and presents a plan for intercep-
ting gas before it can reach the surface. It is intended
to supplement the Division of Oil and Gas, State of
California, pressure relief program involving improperly
abandoned oil wells in the West Beach area of the Newport
oil field (1)* The data presented herein result from 8
years of study devoted to determining the cause of the
gas seeps and devising methods to reduce or eliminate
their detrimental effects.
The effects of these seeps on the community are related
to the composition of the gases being emitted especially
hydrocarbons and hydrogen sulfide. The hydrocarbon con-
tent (mainly methane) creates a constant potential fire
hazard while the effects of the hydrogen sulfide com-
ponent are threefold:
(1) The rotten -eggs odor of hydrogen sulfide gas
is offensive over a large area.
(2) The odor factor causes property degradation
not commensurate with an idyllic suburban
and vacation- centered community:
(3) Complaints of headaches and nausea by dwellers
and workers subjected to prolonged exposure.
Noxious gas seeps are very widespread in Newport Beach
but the principal seepages are a linear series that
exist along the north shore of the western lobe of
Balboa Bay from the Bayshores Tract to the common corner
of Coast Highway, Superior Boulevard, and Balboa
Boulevard. It is believed that these seeps are located
above subsurface fracture zones created at the angular
intersection of normal faults with a major thrust fault
which parallels the bay front. Leakage of gas from
* Numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references.
wells drilled between 1903 and 1930 may augment the flow
of gas into these fracture zones. Second in importance
are the seeps related to the wells in the West Beach
area. Other seeps are small point- source seepages of
gas that currently appear to be unimportant.
The sources of the noxious gas are thin sands in
Divisions "A" and "B" of the upper Miocene series of
marine sediments which outcrop around Balboa Bay.
Development in the major seepage area consists of single
family bay front residences, condominia, and small com-
mercial buildings.
Prior efforts to control seeping gas have consisted of
installing subsurface collection systems within the
seepage areas to scavenge and flare the accumulated gas.
These efforts have been successful at the old MoBoTel
area, Bayshores Tract, and Seashore Drive near 44th
Street sites but unsuccessful in the Balboa Coves Tract
where the largest and most dangerous seeps exist. Ex-
cepting the Broad Street at Holmwood Drive seep which is
being burned below a ground level grate, no effort has
been made to contain atmospheric venting of noxious gas
in the remaining currently active seeps.
Since efforts to control gas seeping from the major
seepage areas have been unsuccessful and since gas pres-
sure and volume appear to be increasing in these areas,
the program herein recommended consists of drilling as
many as four carefully located shallow wells on the vacant
state -owned "Cagney Tract." These wells will penetrate a
thrust fault plane and Division "A" and "B" gas- bearing
sands. They are designed to intercept and produce gas at
depth before it can migrate to the surface. Reservoir
engineering studies estimate that the volume of sour gas
produced will be commercially unattractive; therefore,
provisions to flare the gas will have to be considered.
HISTORY
Oil and gas seeps in Newport Beach have been documented
since the beginning of local historical time. Tar seeps
have led to the drilling of over 200 exploratory wells
in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa from 1903 to 1940.
During this period little attention was paid to the
seepage of noxious qas until residents in the Balboa Coves
Tract became aesthetically unnerved by the odor accom-
panying the seeping gas. Initially, seeps in this area
appeared to be restricted to the Union Oil Company
-2-
service station site but by 1958 several enterprising
residents had driven pipes into the surficial beach sand
beneath their homes and commenced burning off unwanted
gas. In 1965 a single shallow line was laid under the
sidewalk in front of the service station and some gas
was vented and burned. In periods of wet weather this
line tended to drown out and the flare constantly had
to be relighted.
In 1967 the author of this report commenced a study of
the problem and an initial report was compiled in
1968 (2). A new and better flare stanchion and burner
were designed and erected by the City of Newport Beach
in 1969. The Union Oil Company abandoned the service
station in 1970 because of small fires ignited by van-
dals to burn gas emanating from cracks in the station
driveway. On calm nights these orange- tinged blue flames
extended long distances and were very intriguing to ob-
serve. The old MoBoTel (motor -boat motel) was abandoned
that same year because the seepage of noxious gas into
the structure eliminated business. Year 1970 also saw
the installation of the first system wherein gas was
trapped underground and eliminated by burning in an or-
namental gas lamp. This system was installed in the Bay -
shores Tract and it has enabled a homeowner to occupy
his home sans rotten -eggs odor for five years (3).
In 1972 a plan was submitted to the City of Newport Beach
to reduce or eliminate the volume of gas seeping from the
service station area in Balboa Coves (4). This plan in-
volved implanting a deep system (one foot above water
table level) of perforated pipes feeding two elevated
flares. The Public Works Department issued contracts for
the installation of this system. A similar system was
emplaced in the old MoBoTel area in 1972 prior to the
construction of the condominia that now exists over the
seepage site. In 1974 the shallow single line beneath
the sidewalk fronting the Union Oil Company station was
replaced to substantially increase the efficiency of the
subsurface gas scavenging system. During 1975 several
residences in the Balboa Coves area were provided with
ornamental lamp scavenging systems and one residence with
a drastic problem was connected to the deep subsurface
system.
The above described efforts have been successful for point -
source or small area seepages. These sites include the
Bayshores Tract, Seashore Drive near 44th Street, and old
MoBoTel seeps. Surface seeps covering large areas such as
that at Balboa Coves have defied preventative efforts and
-3-
Mul
0
•
odor and fire dangers continue despite the fact that it
is estimated that approximately 85 percent of the
seeping gas is being captured and flared.
CATALOGUE OF NOXIOUS GAS SEEPS IN NEWPORT BEACH
The following list describes all of the known gas seeps
in Newport 'Beach in terms of location, size of seepage
area, source of gas, current status of the seep, and
pertinent remarks. Each seep is also located on Map 1
by catalogue number.
1. Balboa Coves Tract:
Location: Old Union Oil Co. service station area
and residences south and southeast of
the station (see Map 3).
Size: Surficial sand reservoir area covers
1� acres (63,400 square feet); seepage
area consists of one acre (40,000
square feet).
Source: Miocene Division "A" and "B" sands.
Status: Very active (most dangerous and of-
fensive seep); subsurface pressure and
seepage area appear to be increasing.
Remarks: Seepage results from angular intersec-
tion of normal faults and a thrust
fault perhaps augmented by leakage from
abandoned "Cagney Tract" wells.
2. "Cagney Tract'":
Location: North of Coast Highway and contiguous
with the Balboa Coves seepage area.
Size: Approximately one acre (covered in part
by a parking lot).
Source: Miocene Division "A" and "B" sands.
Status: Slightly active (development will in-
crease activity).
Remarks: Seeping noxious gas accompanies flows of
water from near surface aquifers which
also yield bright red rusty water from
-4-
r, • •
which gypsum crystals are being
deposited; large area of black,
chemically altered soil; seepage may
be related to leakage from abandoned
"Cagney Tract" wells.
3. Old MoBoTel area:
Location: Charles T. Smith & Associates con -
dominia site south of Coast Highway
and immediately west of the Balboa
Coves Tract at the extreme northwes-
tern end of the Balboa Bay channels
(see Map 2) .
Size: Surficial sand reservoir area covers
� acre (19,800 square feet); seepage
area consists of 2,600 square feet.
Source: Miocene Division "A" and "B" sands.
Status: Questionably controlled for four years
following installation of a subsurface
scavenging system feeding ornamental
lamps.
Remarks: Seepage results from the angular inter-
section of a normal fault and a thrust
fault perhaps augmented by leakage from
an abandoned Monterey Oil Co. well.
4. Balboa Coves boat dock waterway:
Location: Center of most westerly waterway at
Balboa Coves.
Size: Line of bubbles extends for about 75
feet diagonally across the waterway;
low volume seep.
Source: Miocene Division "A" sands.
Status: Active.
Remarks: Seepage results from leakage along the
trace of a thrust fault.
5. Sea Scout Base:
Location: 50 feet south of mean tide line in Balboa
Bay at the Sea Scout Base.
-5-
Wi
I'Y
•
0
Size: Line of bubbles extends for ap-
proximately 150 feet parallel to the
shoreline; low volume seep.
Source: Miocene Division "A" or "B" sands.
Status: Active.
Remarks: Related to angular intersection of a
normal fault and a thrust fault per-
haps augmented by shallow wells and
shafts of 1903 -18 vintage drilled or
dug where tar seeps were abundant prior
to commercial development along Coast
Highway.
6. Bayshores Tract:
Location: Beneath residence at 2441 Marino Drive.
Size: Seepage area consists of approximately
150 square feet.
Source: Miocene Division "B" sands.
Status: Controlled for 5 years following instal-
lation of a subsurface scavenging system
feeding an ornamental 'lamp.
Remarks: Probably related to the angular inter-
section of a normal fault and a thrust
fault'perhaps augmented by old 1903 -18
wells and shafts.
7. Lido Sands Tract:
Location; Near the community swimming pool ad-
jacent to the intersection of Bruce
Crescent Drive and River Avenue.
Size: Small (exact extent unknown); very low
volume seep.
Source: Miocene Division "A" sands.
Status: Active.
Remarks: Probably related to the north branch of
the Newport- Inglewood fault.
-6-
`s--
8. Balboa Boulevard at 44th Street:
Location: Directly above the site of Orange
County Refining Co. Well No. 2.
Size: Small area but significant volume.
Source: Miocene Division "A" and "B" sands.
Status: Controlled following the recent
recompletion of Well No. 2 by the City
of Newport Beach.
9. 43rd Street:
Location: Beneath street and residences at 204,
205, 206, 208, 210, and 212 43rd Street.
Size: Seepage area consists of 7,500 square
feet.
Source: Miocene Division "A" and "B" sands.
Status: Active in significant and dangerous
volume.
Remarks: Seep results from gas leakage outside
of the casing of the Orange County
Refining Co. Well No. 1; correction
will be very difficult because the
wellhead lies beneath a narrow walkway
between two apartment houses at 204-
206 43rd Street.
10. Channel Place Park:
Location: Directly above site of the Orange
County Refining Co. Well No. 5.
Size: Small area and low volume.
Source: Miocene Division "A" and "B" sands.
Status:. Controlled following the recent reaban-
donment of Well No. 5 by the City of
Newport Beach.
11. Seashore Drive near 44th Street:
Location: Beneath residence at 4407 Seashore Drive.
-7-
0
LJ
Size:
Source:
n
L_J
Small area, probably a point- source
seep; low volume.
Unknown; probably Division "A" sands.
Status: Controlled by means of a shallow
cased hole in the living room floor
which exhausts gas to the exterior of
the home; volume too small to support
an ornamental lamp.
Remarks: Conduit of gas to surface is unknown;
seep is located west of the trace of
the north branch of the Newport -
Inglewood fault.
12. Seashore Drive near 45th Street:
Location: Beneath residence at 4503 Seashore
Drive.
Size: Small area, probably a point- source
seep; low volume.
Source: Unknown; probably Division "A" sands.
Status: Sealed when concrete slab for residence
was poured.
Remarks: Conduit of gas to surface is unknown;
seep is located west of the north
branch of the Newport - Inglewood fault.
13. Broad Street at Holmwood Drive:
Location: In vacant lot on northeast side of
Broad Street at intersection of Holm -
wood Drive.
Size: Point- source seep venting low volume
of gas.
Source: Residual gas from Mesa Sand (probably
the basal sand of the Pliocene Pico
formation).
Status: Active but the odor is controlled by
burning gas beneath ground level grate.
Remarks: Seep is located at the highest outcrop
-8-
of the Mesa Sandi over the years 1967-
76 the rate of flow appears to be
diminishing.
The following gas seeps appearing in this catalogue are
associated with improperly abandoned wells in the West
Beach area:
8. Balboa Boulevard at 44th Street.
9. 43rd Street.
10. Channel Place Park.
The Balboa Boulevard at 44th Street and Channel Place
Park seeps have been controlled by reabandoning or re-
completing the responsible wells. The 43rd Street seep
can be eliminated only by attempting to reenter and re-
abandon the Orange County Refining Co. Well No. 1; an
activity that may require razing the apartment houses at
204 -206 43rd Street.
The following seeps have been adequately controlled, have
such low flow rates that they are not a community nuisance,
seem to be diminishing in rate of flow, or are currently
inactive. These seeps should not be considered for
remedial work at this time.
4.
5.
6.
7.
11.
12.
13.
Balboa Coves boat dock waterway.
Sea Scout Base.
Bayshores Tract.
Lido Sands Tract.
Seashore Drive near 44th Street.
Seashore Drive near 45th Street.
Broad Street at Holmwood Drive.
The balance of this report will treat the major gas seepage
areas where remedial efforts have met with marginal suc-
cess, have not been attempted, or have the potential of
expanding in the future. These seeps include:
1. Balboa Coves Tract.
2. "Cagney Tract."
3. Old MOBOTel area.
COMPOSITION OF NOXIOUS GAS
The following gas analysis was made by Oilwell Research,
Inc. of a sample taken on 19 August 1975 in the Balboa
Coves Tract at the request of the City of Newport Beach.
The analysis was made in an air free state and components
are reported in percent by volume.
ME
Component 8 by Volume
Carbon dioxide 10.381
Nitrogen 7.640
Oxygen 0.088
Hydrogen sulfide 0.004
Methane
81.756
Ethane
0.060
Propane
0.003
Isobutane
0.001
N- butane
0.003
Isopentane
0.005
N- pentane
0.005
Hexane
0.007
Heptane
0.028
Octane
0.018
Nonane plus
0.001
100.000
Specific gravity (air =1.0) 0.688
BTU value per cubic foot 832
la. The Division of Oil and Gas has supplied comparative
analyses of the following types of gas in order to
demonstrate that the noxious gas seeping into the at-
mosphere in Newport Beach is of petroleum origin as
opposed to marsh or utility gas:
(1) Balboa Coves Tract sample of 1972..
(.2) Balboa Coves Tract sample of 1975.
(3) Gas obtained from Orange County Refining Co.
Well No. 3 in 1975 (West Beach area).
(4) Marsh gas from Balboa Bay.
(5) Utility gas.
(6) Gas obtained from Aliso Canyon Oil Field.
These analyses are shown in Table 1.
It is noteworthy that sampleSobtained from the Balboa
Coves Tract in 1972 and 1975 showed a variation in
hydrogen sulfide content of 1.41 and 0.004 percent by
volume respectively. These volumetric figures trans-
late to concentrations of 14,100 and 40 parts per
million (ppm). The approximate limit of sensitivity
of the human nose to hydrogen sulfide gas lies between
25 and 40 ppm. At Orange. County Sewage Treatment
-10-
0
0
TABLE 1
N
ro
m
m
00
O
O
1D
m
n
OD
rn
rn
m
In
r-I
r-I
N
U)
O
O
1D
v
OD
n
m
m
In
r-I
O
O
OD
b .H
o
r-I r-1
O
O
N
O
OD
V'
r-1
O
O
O
O
O
N A
OD
r1
(4
In
fn
N
4-J
m
O
C
O
r-I
1D
N
1D
n
N
r-I
r-I
'O
.rr w
1D
O
m
O
OD
N
m
r-I.
r-I
O
O
O
O
r-I ro.
D
.rr 0
0
o
O
O
n
m
ra
a
o
O
o.
o
+I
OD
r-I
U)
w
roro
RC
C7 x
w
r-I
m
O
rn
o
O
O
O
O
O
O
C7
r-I
O
14
O
r-I
O
O
O
O
O
O
D
I]
w X'
N
O
N
O
O
O
O
O
O
•O
O
O
a
N U
N
N
r-
0
U
A
z
wM
a
v
w
a
W -
O
O
rn
r-I
%0
n
OD
m
R
14
r-I
n
W U1
Z
k
W
OD
N
co
r-I
O
O
O
O
O
O
a0
O
W
r-I
r-1
-W
14
O
O
O.
O.
O
O
r-I
�.
r-I
rn
r-I
N
O
@
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
OD
H
OD
rn3
m
H�.
O H
N
E4
O
F
W
U)
w
pC� a
>
£ C7
0—
r-I
V'
O
OD
1D
O
rn
r-I
rn
In
In
V'
O
U In
OD
O
qw
OD
In
%0
O
O
O
O
'O
In
U x
n
M
o
ko
O
n
o
o
O
O
o
o
O
cr�
ro o,
.
O r-I
O
O
n
O
O
O
O
O
O.
O
O
N
j2
r-I
OD aD
M
r-1
co
ro
C7
w
w
W
>
C7
o l
14
U N
ko
r-I
r-I
O
O
of
O
O
O
O
O
O
:4
n
(n
V'
N
O
co
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
w
mrn
W
OrI
OD
ra
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
ul
A —
(n
r-I
ro
m
v
ro
v
.4
+J
o
w
-
�
.�
r-I
O
O
w
N
:3
W
O
-1
N
C
N
r-I
ro
a
r.
c
w
m
c
O
E
M
c
op
a
c
v
c
u
m
c
4J
w
u
U
O
O
O
v
ro
c
ro
:F
+I
v
c
O
�ll
A
N
N
v,
4
(U
a
.0
o
a
w
m
]
N
'O
+I
>r
+I
4
O
O
.0
O
W
k
fi
N
>r
.rr
k
N
+I
it
w
I
w
I
w
m
U
ID
z
O
W
W
H
z
H
z
x
-11-
0
Plant No. 2, the hydrogen sulfide level is maintained
below 900 ppm. The overwhelming odor at Balboa Coves
coupled to complaints of headaches and nausea suggest
that concentrations of the magnitude of 14,000 ppm are
more representative of actual conditions.
The abnormal hydrogen sulfide content of this seeping
gas is probably related to the slow action of sea water
on pyrite in a low pH environment (acidic) rather than
bacterial action as is the case in marsh gas.
GEOLOGY
STRATIGRAPHY
South of the Newport Mesa bluffs, the bay and peninsular
areas are covered by a veneer of Quaternary beach and
river delta sands. Drillers logs from old wells show
that these surficial sands rest on eroded Miocene
Division "A" marine sediments that are dominantly shale.
The pre -1935 channel of the Santa Ana River is denoted
by a small outcrop of Division "A" shale that exists at
the bayfront termination of 44th Street in west Newport
Beach. East of the area of interest, surficial sands
also rest on the eroded surfaces of Division "B" and "C"
marine shales. The Newport Mesa bluffs are composed of
Miocene Division "A" shales and Pleistocene terrace
sands and gravels that inhabit fault blocks from Superior
Boulevard to Newport Boulevard with the top of Miocene
strata about 20 feet above the base of the bluffs.
Division "A" and "B" sands and shales (locally oil- bearing,)
form the bluffs from Newport Boulevard to Dover Drive and
Miocene Division "C" siliceous shales are found in Corona
del Mar. These formations also outcrop in the Back Bay
bluffs.
Experience in the West Beach area has disclosed that oil-
bearing Miocene Division "C" sands do not carry noxious
gas. The gas is restricted to thin sands occuring within
overlying Division "A" and "B" zones.
STRUCTURE
Miocene formations in the area of interest form two
homoclinal planes having different strikes and dips. The
structure of the plane southwest of Coast Highway can be
inferred from drillers and electrical logs of wells in
the West Beach area. The strike of this homoclinal plane
is N 550 W and the dip is 15 degrees to the southwest.
tv -12-
Northeast of Coast Highway, the Miocene strata outcrop -
ping along the base of the bluffs exhibit an average
strike of N 350 E and a dip of 12 degrees to the north-
west. These divergent homoclinal planes are separated
by a thrust fault, here named the Bluffs thrust fault.
The Bluffs thrust fault is well exposed in the Corona
del Mar bluffs near the corner of Bayside and Paseo
Drives. Figure 1 is a photograph showing the surface
trace of the fault, a three -foot thick gouge zone, and
contorted Miocene Division "C" siliceous shale existing
in the thrust sheet and the foot plate. Here the thrust
fault has a strike of N 720 W and the average dip of the
thrust plane is 35 degrees to the northeast.
West of Corona del Mar, the trace of the Bluffs thrust
fault is concealed by beach and river delta sands but it
can be accurately located by connecting a linear series
of isolated noxious gas seeps. The thrust fault ter-
minates near the common corner of Coast Highway, Superior
Boulevard, and Balboa Boulevard where it intersects the
north branch of the Newport - Inglewood fault. Map 1
shows the trace of the Bluffs thrust fault as defined
above.
Map 1 also shows the locations of a series of normal
faults which can be directly correlated with isolated
noxious gas seeps present at the angular intersection of
these normal faults and the Bluffs thrust fault.
Careful correlation of fault blocks created by the
normal faults with tar sand outcrops and noxious gas
seeps leads to the conclusion that faulting controls the
accumulation of oil and gas in upper and middle Miocene
sands in the Newport Beach area.
It is also believed that the magnitudes of the noxious
gas seeps are augmented by the presence of many im-
properly cemented and abandoned oil wells and shafts
drilled into gas - charged fault blocks during the period
1903 to 1940. Conduits to the surface provided by fault
line fracture zones would tend to drain only near sur-
face gas- bearing sands. The wells may operate to chan-
nel gas from deeper zones into depleted shallow sands
to maintain and augment the seeps. This factor ob-
viously is taking place in the 43rd Street area and it
is believed to be taking place in the old MoBoTe.l,
Balboa Coves Tract, "Cagney Tract," Sea Scout Base, and
Bayshores Tract areas.
In the section entitled Catalogue of Noxious Gas Seeps
in Newport Beach, it was concluded that the major seepage
-13-
�yEY'i].
See File for
Map 1
Noxious Gas Seeps
areas where remedial efforts have been marginally suc-
cessful are the Balboa Coves Tract, "Cagney Tract," and
MOBOTel areas; therefore, the balance of this section .
will be confined to descriptions of the structure of
these areas.
Maps 2 and 3 (in pocket at end of report) depict the
detailed geological structure of the MoBoTel and Balboa
Coves Tract areas. The Bluffs thrust fault is identified
by a dashed line with triangles denoting the thrust sheet.
Cross faults are designated by dashed lines with the
direction of displacement noted. For convenience, the
cross faults have been named and their approximate throw
calculated by relating displacement to offset of the
trace of the Bluffs thrust fault as follows:
Map No. Fault Displacement
2 MoBoTel 90 feet
3 Balco 140 feet
3 Coves 35 feet
It is impossible to determine the amount of displacement
on the Bluffs thrust fault. No key marker beds can be
identified in the vicinity of the surface trace in Corona
del Mar. The width of the gouge zone suggests that it is
a major fault. The fact that only Division "C" siliceous
shales are offset in the Corona del Mar bluffs limits the
displacement to less than the total thickness of Division
"C" strata cut at an angle of 35 degrees, hence, less
than 2,400 feet. It is estimated that maximum dis-
placement is probably no more than one -fifth of this
figure or less than 500 feet.
The attitudes of Miocene strata in the lower plate of the
thrust fault can be determined from logs of wells in the
West Beach area.. This attitude can be projected as a
sloping plane representing the base of Division "B"
deposits from the West Beach area wells to the "Cagney
Tract." The elevation of this plane beneath the "Cagney
Tract" will determine maximum depths to which shallow
gas - intercepting wells should be drilled..
Miocene Division "A" shales outcrop at the base of the
excavated bluffs on the "Cagney Tract." These beds have
an average strike of N 350 E and an average dip of 12
degrees to the northwest. They were erosionally
beveled and Pleistocene terrace deposits unconformably
deposited on this surface. Pleistocene deposits have an
average strike of N 800 E and dip 3 degrees north.
`)%� '
-16-
The precise locations of the cross faults along the bluff
are difficult to ascertain but formation attitudes in each
fault block reflect the rotation of each block relative to
the fault displacements previously calculated.
Since the Bluffs fault is restricted to upper and middle
Miocene strata, the age of faulting has to be post -upper
Miocene. The cross faults do not appear to have offset
Pleistocene formations; hence, age of faulting appears to
be pre- Pleistocene. It is proposed that the Bluffs thrust
fault is early Pliocene in age and.the cross faults are
late Pliocene.
INVESTIGATIONS OF MAJOR SEEPAGE AREAS
The most pronounced centers of noxious gas seepage are
found in the Balboa Coves Tract and the former site of
the MoBoTel. Maps 2 and 3 show details.of these seeps
by means of contours and "form lines" showing the volume
of gas emitted per hour from holes drilled to the water
table level.
A total of 49 holes have been drilled in these areas since
1970. Each hole was drilled with a 3 -inch hand auger to
water level which varied from 66 to 98 inches in depth (a
function of ground level elevation rather than differences
in water table level). 35 holes were drilled in the
MoBoTel area (see Map 2) on a fixed grid and 14 holes have
been randonly drilled in specific areas of surface seeps
in the Balboa Coves Tract (see Map 3). The type of auger
used permitted detailed examination of each inch of sand
drilled and allowed an analysis of the degree of chemical
alteration of the impurities in the sand. Alteration is
caused by the action of sulfuric acid accompanying the
noxious gas on clay particles and organic materials. In
addition, all trenches dug to emplace perforated gas
scavenging lines were examined to determine the limits
of altered sand.
After each hole was drilled, a test tool consisting of a
6 -foot length of 3 -inch PVC tubing perforated with h -inch
holes on 2 -inch centers for a distance of 4 feet above
its base was inserted into the hole with a roll of news-
paper used as a packer. The top of the 'test tool ter-
minated in a 3 =inch long flange to which a series of
adapters were attached to constrict the orifice from 3
inches to h inch. A valve was attached and a 6 -inch
length of � -inch galvanized pipe extended above the valve
to flare gas. The newspaper packer was placed below the
3 -inch flange at the top of the tool and damp clay was
-17-
�i packed firmly around the tool above the packer to
prevent leakage. Figure 2 shows the test tool in place
and venting gas. After an hour shut in, the valve was
opened and a match applied to the orifice. If no per-
manent flame resulted from a hole drilled into altered
sand, the orifice size was reduced to 1/8 -inch; if no
permanent flame resulted, a mirror was held over the
orifice. to detect anytemission of moist gas. If this
failed, a human ear was placed over the orifice to at-
tempt to detect any flow of gas. When the flow of gas
was insufficient to ignite on a 1/8 -inch orifice but
could be detected by the latter methods, it was
recorded as a slight flow of gas (S) on Maps 2 and 3.
If altered sand was drilled yet no flow of gas could be
detected, the hole was labeled "altered" (A) on the
maps. If the sand drilled was not chemically altered,
it was entered on the maps as "not altered" (NA).
When a flame on the h -inch orifice could be maintained,
a windscreen was emplaced and the flame allowed to build
until it stabilized itself for at least one hour. The
height of the flame from the top of the orifice was
measured. This measurement was used to determine the
volume of gas being emitted in the following manner.
On a very calm day, a thin - walled aluminum vessel was
V.✓ filled with one quart of water. The vessel was suspended
from a moveable stand so that its elevation over the
test tool orifice could be varied to determine the hot-
test part of a gas flame of given height. When this
height was established, a series of tests were run for
gas flames of various heights to determine the time re-
quired to heat one quart of water 100F. In this manner
it was discovered that the following relationship for
gas having a thermal capacity of 832 BTU /cubic foot
could be obtained:
6 -inch flame = 0.7 cubic feet /hour
12 -inch flame = 1.3 cubic feet /hour
18 -inch flame = 1.9 cubic feet /hour
Since these data are mathematically constant, it is
believed that the tests were comparatively accurate but,
because a correction for the thermal conductivity of the
aluminum vessel was not entered, they are not absolutely
accurate. It should also be noted that the flaw of gas
from shallow surficial sand reservoirs is essentially
pressureless; hence, gas flames resulting from these
tests are more similar to candle flames than those ob-
tained from gas under pressure.
`� -18-
FIGURE 2
40
Photograph Showing
Test Tool in Place Venting Gas
Photograph Showing
Method,of Measuring Height of Gas Flame
-19-
Therefore, as a function of flame height measured in a
"� windproof fashion, the emission of noxious gas from 3-
inch diameter holes through � -inch orifices can be
measured and the variations contoured. In the area of
the Union Oil Company service station, no holes have
been drilled. However, visual observations over a
period of years of the surface locations where gas es-
capes through cracks in the concrete driveway and
visual observations of the trenches dug to emplace gas
scavenging systems suggest centers of gas escape and
variations in volume. These observations are expressed
as "form lines" on Map 3 and estimates of the volume of
escaping gas denoted by approximate values contained in
parentheses.
ESTIMATES OF VOLUME OF GAS IN SURFICIAL SAND RESERVOIRS
The volume of gas present in surficial sands above the
water table level and the volume of qas seeping from
major sites (Balboa Coves and the old MoBoTel areas) has
never been determined. An approximation can be obtained
by calculating the volume of gas contained in these sands
and assuming that some percentage of the gas is escaping
to the atmosphere.
The maximum volume of gas contained in sands above water
table level can be calculated by utilizing the following
simplified formula for determining gas reserves:
V max =h max x P x Sg x Pr x Tmb x 1 x R
Pmb Tf 2
where,
Vmax = maximum cubic feet of gas per square foot of
surface area under conditions described below.
hmax = maximum thickness of gas- bearing sand in feet
(taken from lithologic logs of holes drilled
to water table level; hmax =6.67 feet).
P = porosity of sand in percent of sand volume
(conservatively estimated to average 266 due
to presence of clay particles, organic debris,
and moisture).
Sg = gas saturation of sand in percent of porosity
(for sands above water table level, Sg= 100%).
Pr = reservoir pressure in Asia (for almost pres-
sureless seepage, Pr= atmospheric pressure).
-20-
0
Pmb = pressure measuring base in psia (atmospheric
tea. pressure, hence, Pr /Prkib=1).
Tmb = averaqe yearly diurnal atmospheric temperature
in degrees Rankine (taken as 65OF plus 4600).
T = formation temperature in degrees Rankine
(taken as an average of groundwater temperature
and Tmb; Tfm57OF plus 460O).
Z = deviation of gas from ideal behavior of a per-
fect fluid (since 99.88 of this gas is a mix-
ture of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and
hydrogen sulfide; Z= 0.97).
R = gas recovery factor in percent (because of the
high porosity of the surface sand, lack of in-
terstitial water, and ease of exit to the sur-
face, R is theoretically assumed to be 1008).
Based upon actual holes drilled at the major seepage
sites and the values defined above, the value of Vmax
becomes 1.8 cubic feet of gas per square foot of
surface area.
To determine the total volume of gas trapped in these
surficial sands, the maximum extent of the reservoir
must be known and the lateral decrease in thickness of
gas - bearing sand must be assumed where not actually
known. The maximum extent of gas- bearing sand is ob-
tained from measuring the area contained within the zero
contour on Maps 2 and 3. The variation of gas produced
on tests of holes within these areas is due to two fac-
tors; lateral lensing of gas- bearing sand and lateral
expansion of the gas front as a function of distance from
source, pressure, and volume of gas feeding the surficial
sand reservoir. Therefore, it is assumed that the
volume of sand contained within the zero contour line on
Maps 2 and 3 must be reduced 50 percent; hence:
Vt = Vmax x A x 0.50
where,
V = total volume of gas occupying surficial sand
reservoir above water table level at atmospheric
pressure.
A = surface area underlain by gas- bearing sand in
square feet.
-21-
Surface areas of the major seepage sites that were in-
vestigated can be calculated to be:
Balboa Coves Tract reservoir area = 63,420 square feet
Old MoBoTel reservoir area = 19,810 square feet
Therefore, the total volume of gas trapped at any moment
of time in the surficial sand reservoir above water table
level at atmospheric pressure per area is:
Balboa Coves Tract = 57,395 cubic feet of noxious gas
Old MoBoTel area = 17,930 cubic feet of noxious gas
ESTIMATES OF VOLUME OF SEEPING GAS
The above assumptions and calculations have been conser-
vative and fairly straight forward; the following assump-
tions regarding the volume of gas actually seeping into
the atmosphere are based on logic rather than fact.
To present a logical case for determining the volume of
gas being vented, a series of facts can be marshalled as
follows:
(1) In the old MoBoTel building, gas seepage came
from directly beneath the structure; this
`i. location correlates with the area contained
within the 1.0 contour line on Map 2.
(2) In the Balboa Coves area all known instances
of gas being vented to the atmosphere (odor
detection or ability to light surface fires
without benefit of a hole) occur within the
area bounded by the 1.0 contour line on Map
3 where the ground surface is not covered
by asphalt or concrete.
(3) In the MoBoTel area, a gas scavenging system
composed of perforated pipes was installed
prior to constructing the condominia that
now exist over the site; this system, em-
placed in 1971 is currently flaring off 2.6
cubic feet of gas per hour through two or-
namental lamps
(4) The surficial sand reservoir in the MoBoTel
area was violently disturbed to one foot
above water table level in December 1971;
hence, for a long period of time the shallow
reservoir has been undergoing recharge.
-22-
a i
(5) In the Balboa Coves area, two systems of
perforated pipes were installed beneath
the old Union Oil Company station to feed
two flares; it is estimated that these
flares are burning off approximately 60
cubic feet of gas per hour. In addition
four ornamental lamps are flaring 5.8
cubic feet per hour; hence, the total gas
being flared from the Balboa Coves.area
is about fib cubic feet per hour but sur-
face seepage problems continue.
(6) Around the area venting gas to the atmos-
phere, saturated gas sands are found at
various depths beneath unaltered sand;
hence, these areas (where gas can be
produced from tests of holes) are not ac-
tually venting gas to the atmosphere (at
sites of deep excavations this statement
may be violated).
(7) Chemically altered sand is present as a
halo around the surficial gas reservoir
denoting the presence of traces of gas or
that the reservoir area has contracted.
(8) Through the passage of time, several holes
drilled in the 1970 -71 period did not dis-
close the presence of gas on test; redril-
ling these specific areas in 1974 -75 some-
times resulted in the production of
measureable quantities of gas. Hence, the
gas front appears to be expanding and sub-
surface pressure and gas volume appears to
be increasing.
(9) Based on experience in the area, it is as-
sumed that the "form lines" beneath the
old Union Oil Company service station ac-
tually designate the presence of gas as
denoted by the numbers in parentheses.
(10) The latest analysis of the chemical com-
position of the Balboa Coves noxious gas
showed the hydrogen sulfide content to be
0.004 percent by volume (as mentioned
previously, it is believed that a value
of 1.41 percent by volume is more rep -
resentative of actual conditions).
-23-
• •
The surface area contained within the 1.0 contour line
at each major seepage site is defined as the "seepage
area." The respective seepage areas are:
Balboa Coves seepage area = 39,975 square feet
MoBoTel seepage area = 2,600 square feet
However, in each case approximately 90 percent of the
seepage area is covered by concrete slabs and driveways
or asphalt streets and the effective seepage areas
become:
Balboa Coves effective seepage area = 4,185-square feet
MoBoTel effective seepage area = 260 square feet
Based on the average volume of gas produced from holes
located in the seepage areas and tested, let it be as-
sumed that each square foot of bare surface sand is
capable of yielding 1.1 cubic feet of gas per hour in
the old MoBoTel area and 1.84 cubic feet per hour in the
Balboa Coves area; therefore, under this assumption, the
following volumes of gas are capable of being produced:
Balboa Coves seepage area = 7,700 cubic feet per hour
MoBoTel seepage area 286 cubic feet per hour
Armed with these data, let some percentage of the above
volume of gas be selected to represent the gas being
delivered to the atmosphere and fit this arbitrarily
chosen percentage value to the facts enumerated at the
beginning of this section. For instance, in the old
MoBoTel area let it be assumed that one percent of the
gas capable of being delivered to the surface is actually
being vented into the atmosphere. In this case, said
volume would be 2.86 cubic feet per hour. Let us test
this figure against listed facts. One fact states that
2.3 cubic feet of gas per hour is being scavenged and
burned in ornamental lamps. Surface seepage and as-
sociated odors have been eliminated from this site for a
period of four years; hence, it appears that 100 percent
of the gas entering this reservoir is being flared.
Therefore, it would appear that this best fit solution
may be valid because the influx of gas into the surficial
sand reservoir balances that being scavenged and burned.
However, another fact states that the MoBoTel reservoir
was violently disturbed in December 1971 so perhaps the
reservoir is undergoing recharge and the balance derived
above is not a valid conclusion.
-24-
Despite the reservoir recharge problem, let us apply the
same logic to the Balboa Coves area. One percent of the
volume of gas capable of being delivered from the
reservoir to the atmosphere equals 77 cubic feet per hour.
It is estimated that the volume of gas being consumed by
the elevated flares is approximately 60 cubic feet per
hour. In addition four ornamental lamps are burning 5.8
cubic feet of gas per hour. Therefore, about 66 cubic
feet of gas per hour is being scavenged and burned in
the Balboa Coves Tract. The odor problem which remains
in this area can, therefore, be attributed to the effects
of approximately 11 cubic feet of gas still being vented
from bare surface sand and cracks in concrete $labs and
driveways into the atmosphere. Hence, only 85 percent
of the gas entering the surficial sand reservoir is being
eliminated.
Because of the crude manner in which gas flow rates were
measured and the "guesstimate" re the volume of gas being
flared from the major scavenging systems (30 cubic feet
per hour per flare), all of the above figures are subject
to large margins of error. However, the ratios between
gas entering the shallow sand reservoirs and gas being
flared may be valid.
To test the margin of.error, let us proceed an additional
step in the excercise of logic by assuming that both
seepaqe areas are devoid of development. In this case
two assumptions can be made as follows:
(1) The atmospheric seepage volume will remain
the same as that expressed above.
(2) The volume of atmospheric seepage will expand
in direct ratio to the expansion of bare sand.
Under the first assumption, the above estimates are un-
changed; under the second the following numbers emerge:
(1) Balboa Coves seepage area = 39,975 square feet
Balboa Coves seepage volume = 735 cubic feet per hour
(2) MoBoTel seepage area = 2,600 square feet
MoBoTel seepage volume = 29 cubic feet per hour
The scavenging efficiency of the systems currently in-
stalled would become:
Balboa Coves area = 9 percent
MoBoTel area = 8 percent
-25-
C]
These new values are patently false for the following
reasons:
(1) An acre of bare sand venting 735 cubic
feet of gas to the atmosphere per hour
would be constantly on fire.
(2) At 1.41 percent by volume, the emission
of hydrogen sulfide would amount to ap-
proximately 10 cubic feet per hour and
the odor and danger of asphyxiation
would be overwhelming.
Therefore, it is concluded that the seepage rate remains
fairly constant regardless of the degree of cover by
concrete and asphalt. And it appears that corrective
efforts must be dedicated to-intercepting gas before it
can enter surficial sand reservoirs.
The ahove excercise yields two additional factors that
bear on the problem as follows:
(1) It demonstrates that a relatively small
volume of seeping methane is hazardous
and very small volumes of seeping
hydrogen sulfide present in a concentrated
state can injure a community from an
aesthetic standpoint.
(2) It is necessary to approximate the volume
of seeping gas in order to determine the
volume of gas that must be produced from
intercepting wells to define the inter-
ception efficiency of these wells.
In standard oil field terms, the volume of gas that must
be intercepted and produced in order to alleviate the
surface seepage problem is at least the following:
Balboa Coves seepage area
= 1,850
cubic
feet
per
day
MoBoTel seeps a area
= 65
cubic
feet
per
da
Tota
= 1,915
cubic
feet
per
ay
This volume of sour gas is not commercially attractive;
total value is less than $3.00 per day. Therefore,
provisions to flare the gas will have to be considered.
-26-
RECOMHENDED SOLUTION
INTRODUCTION
•
Preceding sections of this report have established the
following factors applicable to seeping gas in the
Balboa Coves Tract, "Cagney Tract," and old MoBoTel
areas:
(1) Accumulation of gas is structurally related
to fault blocks.
(2) Each seepage area is intimately associated
with the angular intersection of normal
cross faults and a major thrust fault; the
thrust fault appears to predate the cross
faults.
(3) Noxious gas is restricted to thin sands in
the upper Miocene Division "A" and "B"
series of marine sediments.
(4) Migration of gas to the surface seems to
occur vertically via fracture zones created
by normal faults and laterally by migration
along the fractured plane of the thrust
V fault; the volume of gas seeping into sur-
ficial sand reservoirs may be augmented by
gas leaking from nearby abandoned oil wells.
(5) The Balboa Coves Tract and old MoBoTel sur-
ficial sand reservoirs have been outlined,
seepage areas have been defined, and estimates
of the volume of seeping gas have been cal-
culated.
(6) The "Cagney Tract" is currently undeveloped,
state - owned, and the site of noxious gas
seeps and mineralized springs.
Based on these factors, the following recommendations
are being made for the purpose of intercepting this
gas at depth and depleting the gas- bearing sands:
(1) Utilization of the excavated portion of
the "Cagney Tract" adjacent to Coast
Highway as the site for a series of
shallow wells.
(2) The wells should be carefully located
-27-
to insure that they cut the plane of the
thrust fault as well as the planes of
normal cross faults.
(3) Each well should be drilled to the base
of Division "B" strata.
PROPOSED PROGRAM
A two phase drilling program is proposed as follows:
Phase 1: Drill two shallow holes to the base
of Division "B" strata on the "Cagney
Tract" adjacent to the Balco and
MoBoTel faults. The specific locations
of these holes are dictated by the
desire to keep the hole bore as close
to the planes of normal faults as
possible.
Phase 2: Drill two additional holes located
in the middle of the two fault blocks
present on the "Cagney Tract."
Phase 1 holes are critical to the program. If negligible
quantities of gas are recovered, the program should be
�- abandoned. If substantial volumes of gas are produced
and the specific fault block contributing the major
amount of qas can be isolated, Phase 2 may require only
a single hole.
Low pressure gas sands 'are easily mudded off and analyses
of electrical and gamma ray logs may be marginal for
identifying low pressure qas sands having a high connate
water content; therefore, drilling and completion prac-
tices will have to be very exact.
The following subsection discusses the manner in which
Phase 1 locations were chosen and total depths assigned.
DETERMINATION OF WELL LOCATIONS AND DEPTH FACTORS
The subcrop (geographic location of the intersection of
the thrust fault plane and the base of surficial sands)
of the Bluffs thrust fault is shown on Maps 1, 2, and 3.
The dip of the fault plane averages 35 degrees to the
northeast at its outcrop in the Corona del Mar bluffs
(see Figure 1). Therefore, along a line parallel to
Coast Highway and approximately midway between Coast
�»
-28-
•
Highway and the base of the excavated bluffs, depths to
the plane of the thrust fault can be determined for each
fault block.
By assuming that the average dip of the plane of a normal
fault cutting massive shale is 65 degrees, the subsurface
dip of the normal fault planes can be calculated in three
dimensions.
Geological evidence presented herein relates surface
seepage of gas to subsurface conduits provided by frac-
ture zones adjacent to fault planes especially at points
of intersection of normal faults and the thrust fault.
Therefore, wells being drilled to intercept gas entering
these conduits should be drilled as closely as possible
to normal fault planes. Consequently, it is proposed
that each hole should be located in a manner which permits
the hole bore to intersect the normal fault plane at a
depth midway between the calculated depth to the thrust
fault plane and total depth. This proposal offers the
following advantages:
(1) If the dip of the normal fault plane is more
or less than 65 degrees, sufficient depth
exists to overcome this error.
(2) The downdropped fault block will be in-
vestigated prior to cutting the plane of
the normal fault and the hole will be bot-
tomed in the upthrown block.
Phase 1 hole locations• resulting from the above calcula-
tions are shown on Map 4. The locations can be described
by referring to a reference point identified as the
intersection of the centerline of Coast Highway and the
centerline of the access road into the Balboa Coves
Tract. These locations can be described as follows:
Hole No. 1: From the above described reference
point, proceed east along the center-
line of Coast Highway a distance of
285 feet, thence north at a right
angle a distance of 150 feet to the
well location.
Hole No. 2: From the reference point, proceed
west along the centerline of Coast
Highway a distance of 795 feet,
thence north at a right angle a
distance of 140 feet to the well
location.
-29-
0
If Phase 1 holes yield substantial volumes of gas on
test, tentative locations of Phase 2 holes have been
established as follows:
Hole No. 3: From the reference point, proceed
west along the centerline of Coast
Highway a distance of 250 feet,
thence north at a right angle a
distance of 150 feet to the well
location.
Hole No. 4: From the reference point, proceed
east along the centerline of Coast
Highway a distance of 700 feet,
thence north at a right angle a
distance of 150 feet to the well
location.
At these locations the following depth factors exist for
intersecting the plane of the thrust fault, the plane of
the normal fault, and total depth:
Hole
ctors from Mean Sea Level Datum
Plane Normal Fault Plane Total Depth*
1
-300
-440
-580
2
-230
-430
-625
3
-275
NA
-585
4
-235
NA
-550
*Base of Division "B" strata projected from West Beach
area wells.
-30-
n
LJ
APPENDIX I
LIST OF REFERENCES
(1) Ingram, W. L., "Division of Oil and Gas Pressure
Relief Program, Newport Beach
(Preliminary)," Division of oil
and Gas, Department of Conser-
vation, Resources Agency,
California, 10 December 1975.
(2) 2ebal, George P. "Noxious Gas Seeps in Newport
Beach," in Coordination with
Public Works Department, City of
Newport Beach, March 1968.
(3) 2ebal, George P. "Description and Solution of the
Noxious Gas Seep Problem at 244.1
Marino Drive, Newport Beach,"
Report to Homeowner, 4 November
1970.
(4) 2ebal, George P. "Balboa Coves Noxious Gas Project,
Phase 3 Report," in Coordination
with Public Works Department, City
of Newport Beach, 10 October 1972.
See File for
Map 2
Noxious Gas Seepage Potential Map
Beneath
Proposed Waterfront Condominium
See File for
Map 3
Noxious Gas Seepage Potential Map
Beneath
Balboa Covers Community
See File for
Map 4
Showing Locations of Proposed Holes
on the " Cagney Tract"