Long Beach oil and gas exploration and production company Termo Co. will temporarily postpone the expansion of an oil production site in the San Fernando Valley near Porter Ranch, where a gas leak has forced thousands of residents to relocate.

Termo said it would delay the release of an environmental impact report, a necessary step in order for the project to move forward. Termo operates 18 wells on the site, producing 500 barrels a day. The plan seeks to add 12 wells to the existing facility.

However, Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander, who represents the Porter Ranch area, said in a statement Friday that he wants the project to be called off altogether.

“While I’m delighted that the Termo Company has postponed the environmental review and thus the project, this falls short of a withdrawal of their expansion application,” Englander said.

The oil company, however, has no plans to permanently scrap the new wells.

“We’re not withdrawing the project,” said Ralph Combs, manager of corporate development at Termo, in an interview. “After a thorough review of the current situation in Aliso Canyon, its impact on the community, the current economics of the project and after discussions with your office and the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council, Termo has decided to postpone the release of the EIR for the project,” he added in a statement.

Termo shares the field with Southern California Gas Co., whose natural gas well in Aliso Canyon began leaking Oct. 23, leading many residents to complain of severe nausea, dizziness, headaches and other health issues.

In addition to Aliso Canyon, Termo operates wells in Long Beach, Ventura and Kern County.