Oil Spill Chokes California Beach: 21,000 Gallons of Crude Oil Blackens Beaches After Pipeline Ruptures
California’s beaches have been blackened again as a ruptured pipeline has spilled thousands of gallons of oil onto the sand.
A ruptured pipeline near Santa Barbara has spilled out about 21,000 gallons of crude oil, which has been spreading out into the ocean. The oil spill has blackened the popular beaches of California and will soon threaten the flora and fauna.
#UPDATE Spill on Refugio Beach stretches approx 4 mi wide. County OES, Exxon and county fire on scene to assist.
— USCG Southern California (@USCGSoCal) May 19, 2015
The oil spill occurred when an 11-mile long secondary supply line ruptured. This pipeline connects to a larger oil transport network meant to supply crude oil for refinement in Kern County. The refinery projects located in the area received approval for a five-fold expansion last year.
The leak was noticed by a woman at Refugio State Beach in Goleta who was hit with the crude’s noxious fumes. Taking note of the alarm, the Coast Guard swung into action and crews sealed up the leak by 3 p.m., confirmed Coast Guard Petty Officer Andrea Anderson.
Though the rupture has been sealed, Coast Guard officials estimate over 21,000 gallons of crude oil has spilt, endangering the local and aquatic flora and fauna. Ecologists are already demanding a huge clean up task that needs to be undertaken urgently.
Exxon, Coast Guard, fire & emergency officials responding to slick off Refugio State Beach http://t.co/XR54dfMft6 pic.twitter.com/4lHziIfRgw
— KTLA (@KTLA) May 19, 2015
The pipeline, built over two decades ago, is owned by Houston-based Plains All American Pipeline. The pipeline can transport 150,000 barrels a day, but fortunately wasn’t functioning at capacity. Additionally, the oil spill first collected in a culvert, which prevented a large scale ecological disaster.
#Update CG overflight photo from Refugio State Beach oil spill pic.twitter.com/MCxtce8xvN
— USCG Southern California (@USCGSoCal) May 20, 2015
However, by late Tuesday, a thick layer of crude was already visible. Black tar had settled on the rocks and brackish tides had arrived, severely risking the sea-lions, said Brett Connors, 35, a producer from Santa Monica.
“It is horrible. You want to jump in there and save them.”
Though County emergency crews and teams from the U.S. Coast Guard and California state parks have already congregated and actively taking part in the clean-up, no one knows what caused the pipe burst and the subsequent oil spill. Neither can anyone confirm for how long the spill was left unchecked. The amount too is just an estimate, and a detailed investigation could be the only source of concrete information.
Speaking about the oil spill, Richard Abrams, emergency manager for Santa Barbara County, said,
“We haven’t seen any reports of impacts on wildlife but it is in the water so it is impacting the environment,”
Meanwhile the company that owns the pipeline issued a statement,
“Plains deeply regrets this release has occurred and is making every effort to limit its environmental impact. Our focus remains on ensuring the safety of all involved.”
[Image Credit | Getty Images]
