Key Energy Services Will Lay Off 57 California Staff
The energy company plans to cut positions in Bakersfield and Ventura this November as it withdraws from the state.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Jobs — General
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Key Energy Services LLC will lay off 57 employees across California on November 22, 2026. The job cuts include 53 positions in Bakersfield and 4 in Ventura as the company exits the state market.
Why it matters
The layoffs result from a strategic decision by the firm to withdraw from California operations due to decreased business activity. This move impacts local workforces in Kern County and beyond as the company winds down its regional presence.
The company is eliminating 53 jobs in Bakersfield and 4 in Ventura. These cuts follow a series of workforce reductions that occurred in Kern County throughout 2024 and 2025.
The players
Key Energy Services LLC
The company is a provider of well-site services for the oil and gas industry that is now exiting the California market.
The details
Key Energy Services LLC notified local authorities of the impending staff reductions via a formal letter filed on September 23, 2026. The firm cited a decline in business opportunities as the primary driver for its full withdrawal from the California energy sector.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: The company filed a formal layoff notice with local authorities.
November 22, 2026: The planned workforce reductions are scheduled to take effect.
Market Landscape
This move marks the final exit for the firm from the California market, following a trend of energy services firms adjusting their footprint in the state. This withdrawal follows a broader shift in regional energy sector employment as companies react to changing local demand.
Employees at the Bakersfield and Ventura sites will face immediate job losses as the company departs the state. Consumers and partners should prepare for a change in local service availability as the firm completes its withdrawal.
The takeaway
Workers affected by these industry contractions can monitor local unemployment resources for transition support. The departure of major service providers often signals a need for local businesses to adjust their supply chains for future projects.
Further reading
For more on the regional employment outlook, see Jobs — General.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Bakersfield Californian.
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