Plains Exploration & Production Co. has agreed to reduce the number of planned oil and gas wells in Baldwin Hills and take other steps to address residents’ concerns.

Under an agreement approved Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Houston-based PXP will cut the number of oil and gas wells it plans to drill in the area over the next 20 years from 600 to 500. The agreement also calls for PXP to reduce nighttime noise levels from drilling operations, reduce the number of drilling rigs that can be used onsite and study impacts of natural gas fracking operations.

The agreement resolves a series of lawsuits filed in 2009 against the county by Culver City and residents of several other nearby communities. The lawsuits challenged the county’s approval of a set of environmental regulations for drilling in the Inglewood Oil Field in the Baldwin Hills.

“Those who live near the oil field will see fewer wells, hear less noise from drilling and have in place stronger air quality protections than exist today,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who represents the Baldwin Hills area.

“The settlement augments the existing protections that were included in the (county ordinance) when it was originally adopted and helps shifts the focus to constructive dialogue and a more effective working relationship between the County, PXP, residents and community organizations,” said Steven Rusch, PXP vice president.