Los Angeles: City of Angels...and Apparently a Whole Lotta Oil?
You might picture Los Angeles and Hollywood glamour come to mind - flickering lights, starlets in sunglasses, and that undeniable California sunshine. But there's another side to LA, one that's a little less red carpet and a little more black gold. Yes, we're talking about oil!
So, How Many Oil Wells Are We Talking About?
Here's the thing, buckle up - estimates suggest there are over 5,000 active and idle oil wells scattered throughout the City of Angels. That's right, more oil wells than stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (and with all due respect to those stars, that's a lot of wells).
These oily residents can be found in some surprising places - from bustling downtown to quiet neighborhoods. You might be sipping a latte in Westwood and have no idea there's an oil well down the street, just chillin' like a subterranean villain in a bad action movie.
A Brief History of LA's Love Affair with Oil (Spoiler Alert: It's Complicated)
LA's oil story goes way back. We're talking about the early 1900s, when the city was practically transformed into an oil field. Imagine horse-drawn carriages dodging derricks instead of Teslas! There was a boom, a glorious gusher of wealth, and then, like most Hollywood romances, things fizzled out.
While some wells are still pumping, LA is trying to wean itself off the oil teat. In December 2022, the city council put a ban on new oil drilling within city limits. It seems LA is aiming to trade in the black gold for green energy, which is a pretty trendy move these days.
So, What Does This Mean for You, the Curious Angeleno?
Well, for one thing, it means you might have a surprise subterranean neighbor. Also, it's a reminder that LA's story is richer and more complex than what meets the eye (or the movie screen). This city has a long and fascinating relationship with oil, and it'll be interesting to see how this chapter unfolds.
Maybe one day, we'll have tours of historic oil wells alongside celebrity homes. You can imagine it now: "And to your left, folks, is the spot where Rita Hayworth once filmed a scene, and right behind that hedge is Old Smokey Number 3, a well that's been pumping since the silent film era!"
Hey, it's LA. Anything is possible.
