Aera Energy LLC (Aera) is a natural gas, oil exploration and production company jointly owned by Shell and ExxonMobil headquartered in Bakersfield, California. In addition, Aera Energy LLC is a California limited liability company, and one of California’s largest oil and natural gas producers, with an approximate 2013 revenues of over $5 billion. Aera is operated as a stand-alone company through its board of directors.
Most of Aera’s production is located in the San Joaquin Valley. The company also has oil field operations in Ventura and Monterey counties. Aera produces approximately 131,000 barrels of oil and 36 million cubic feet of natural gas each day, and has proved oil and natural gas reserves equivalent to approximately 712 million barrels of oil. Aera produces over 25 percent of California’s oil and natural gas.
The work force needs of Aera are provided by Aera Energy Services Company (Aera Services), a Delaware corporation. Aera and Aera Services employ about 1,400 people and hundreds of contractor companies.
The company began operating as Aera Energy LLC on June 1, 1997 and consists of the California onshore and offshore exploration and production assets previously operated by CalResources LLC (a former Shell affiliate), Mobil Exploration & Producing US Inc. (now an ExxonMobil affiliate), and ARCO.
The Coles Levee Ecosystem Preserve, located about 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Bakersfield, consists of 6,059 acres (24.52 km2) of habitat.6 More than a dozen rare, threatened and endangered birds, animals and plant life can be found in the preserve. The preserve encompasses the last two miles (3 km) of riparian habitat along the Kern River, where it drains into Buena Vista Lake.
Established in 1992 by ARCO and the California Department of Fish and Game, the preserve was acquired by Aera in 1998. The preserve is largely riparian habitat and is surrounded by active oil fields (the North Coles Levee Oil Field and South Coles Levee Oil Field, as well as the Elk Hills Oil Field to the west, operated by Occidental Petroleum).7
Aera Energy Nonprofit Service in the community…
Aera employees are known and respected for their community involvement. Employee participation in community events and causes is encouraged, supported and recognized. Why? Because Aera is so much more than just an employer. We are individuals and families who live in the communities where we operate. We attend events, support causes and work to make our communities stronger.
Through Team Aera and Partnership A.E.R.A., volunteers help charitable organizations and support targeted educational programs. Many employees hold key leadership positions in state and local chambers of commerce, economic development associations, and educational, cultural, and environmental organizations. In addition, Aera provides targeted financial support to more than 100 community organizations each year. Some of our most visible community investments include:
- The Aera Clinic at the San Joaquin Hospital’s Grossman Burn Center in Bakersfield
- Aera Park – a 22-acre City of Bakersfield youth baseball complex
- Aera Energy Concentration in Occupational Safety and Health Management at CSU Bakersfield
- Aera Energy Gymnasium at the Westside Recreation and Park District
- Ready to Start – a school readiness program for pre-kindergartners developed with education and business partners
Aera and the community are partners in solving problems and creating a better future.
Team Aera is simply about improving the communities in which we live. From AYSO to YMCA, our energetic employees and their families volunteer personal time for many charitable causes. Last year 1,400 Team Aera volunteers gave 6,000 hours to 100 local agencies. Team members have built shelters for the homeless, made blankets for seriously ill children, delivered food baskets to needy families, dug in on community clean-up campaigns, made repairs to homes and centers for seniors, helped stuff a bus with essential school supplies and so much more.
Employees who donate 40 or more volunteer hours to a particular agency are eligible to apply for a Team Aera Grant in support of eligible non-profits.
In 2011 Aera received a “National Team” recognition for our significant role in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Aera was also honored with the 2011 Roy Pinkerton Award by the United Way of Ventura County, an annual award presented to the outstanding corporate partner.
Aera is a longtime and major supporter of United Way. Employees annually conduct a United Way campaign and when their pledges are combined with the company’s match, Aera is one of the largest contributions to United Way of Kern County.
Team Aera, a force in all the communities where we operate, was recognized by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce with a Beautiful Bakersfield Award.
