KNOWLES Oil Extraction Facility in Arvin, Kern County, California

KNOWLES is an oil extraction facility situated at the intersection of South Edison Road and South Comanche Road in Arvin, California. Located in Kern County, a major oil-producing region in the United States, the facility contributes to the country's domestic crude petroleum supply. As an operational oil extraction site, it plays a role in the broader California oil industry, which is subject to state and federal environmental regulations. The facility operates under NAICS code 211120, which covers crude petroleum extraction. In the United States, oil extraction facilities like KNOWLES are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Clean Water Act, as well as state-level agencies such as the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Department of Conservation. These regulations address emissions, water management, and well safety. The facility's location in Kern County places it within a region with a long history of oil production, characterized by both conventional and enhanced oil recovery methods. The environmental context of KNOWLES includes its proximity to agricultural areas and the San Joaquin Valley, which faces air quality challenges. Oil extraction activities can contribute to local emissions and water usage, making regulatory compliance critical. The facility's operational status indicates ongoing production, supporting local employment and energy supply. Its role in the regional oil infrastructure underscores the balance between resource extraction and environmental stewardship in California.

The facility is situated in Kern County, California, a region with significant oil extraction activity and associated environmental considerations. Oil extraction operations can impact local air quality through emissions of volatile organic compounds and other pollutants, and water resources through potential groundwater contamination and high water usage for enhanced recovery. The San Joaquin Valley, where Arvin is located, faces challenges with ozone and particulate matter, making emission controls important. Regulatory frameworks such as the EPA's New Source Performance Standards and California's stringent air quality rules apply to facilities like KNOWLES to mitigate these impacts.