Imagine waking up one morning, looking outside and seeing a huge oil rig out your back door.
That's what happened in one neighborhood in southwest Bakersfield, and residents want to know what it is, how long it's going to be there, and what the noise rules are.
But, we found the company is operating within the rules of its permit.
The homes surrounding the drilling platform were built in the 1990s after the platform was established, but residents may not have known what they were moving next door to.
"Theres a giant monster out there right now with bright, bright lights, and a loud humming constant noise. It's just going 24-7 all the time, sometimes louder than others, but it's always there," said Susie Roberts who lives in the neighborhood.
According to Code Enforcement and the Fire Department, which regulates permits for drilling rigs, the company is operating within its permit.
Fire officials say for this zone, drillers have to keep the noise down to 65 decibels, like the sound of an idling car engine.
The well owner is Crimson Resources based in Colorado. When we talked to them they told us since this drilling platform was there before the homes, they don't have all the noise constraints and notice requirements. But, they are conscious of where they are and placed a tall noise reducing wall at the site.
The company also says they are ahead of schedule and should have the whole operation torn down in the next few weeks.
