Produced water volatile organic compound and select organic and inorganic data collected from eight oil fields, 2016-2020, California

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board collected produced water samples for analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the eight California oil fields of Fruitvale, Lost Hills, North Belridge, Orcutt, Placerita, South Belridge, Midway-Sunset, and Buena Vista from 2016 to 2020. Sampled sites included oil wells; injectate from tanks, pipelines, and injection wells where produced water from many wells, after removal of oil, is stored or transported prior to underground injection; integrated produced water from many oil wells collected from pipelines before oil removal; and surface disposal ponds where produced water, after removal of oil, is disposed of. This digital dataset contains the site information, analyzing laboratories and methods, and water and gas chemistry and quality-control results for these samples. Chemistry results include concentrations of VOCs, low molecular weight organic acids, and supporting data on chloride, alkalinity, and sample temperatures for comparison to VOC data. Samples were analyzed in the field and by three laboratories operated or contracted by the USGS.