Gaviota Begins Plant Dismantling Project

Gaviota Maintenance Services Inc., a Ventura firm that specializes in offshore oil rig work, has begun a $2-million project dismantling Phillips Petroleum Co.’s Tajiguas Gas Plant on the coast north of Santa Barbara.

The plant, built in 1964, processed gas and associated hydrocarbons from four offshore wells until it was shut down in late 1990.

Ed Lyon, Gaviota’s owner, said his company has hired a dozen new workers for the job. “I understand the soil is not badly contaminated, but we’ll still have to take care in restoring the site,” Lyon said.

After the facility’s equipment and piping are dismantled, the 4.5-acre site will be landscaped, Lyon said. He estimated that the entire project will be finished by the third quarter of 1993.

Phillips has been leasing the land from Southern Pacific Transportation Co.