Aera Energy LLC (Aera), a California limited liability company, is one of California’s largest oil and gas producers, accounting for approximately 30% of the state’s production. With headquarters in Bakersfield, most of Aera’s production is centered in the San Joaquin Valley. Aera Energy LLC also has oilfield operations in the L.A. Basin and in Ventura and Monterey Counties. Aera produces approximately 160,000 barrels of oil and 50 million cubic feet of natural gas each day and has proved oil and gas reserves equivalent to approximately 800 million barrels of oil. Aera Energy LLC, which began operating as Aera Energy LLC on June 1, 1997, consists of the California onshore and offshore exploration and production (E&P) assets previously operated by CalResources LLC (a former Shell Oil Company affiliate), Mobil Exploration & Producing U.S. Inc. (now an Exxon Mobil Corporation affiliate), and ARCO. Today Aera is jointly owned by Shell and ExxonMobil and is operated as a stand-alone company through its own board of managers (directors). The California-based refining, retail petroleum marketing and pipeline operations of Shell and ExxonMobil are not included in Aera.