A section of the pipeline where the oil spill originated off the coast of Southern California moved to 30 feet and an opening of 13 inches on the line , confirmed by divers investigating the causes that led to the oil leak.
According to the unified command, headed by the Coast Guard and in which the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Amplify Energy company, which operates the pipeline, collaborate, the conditions that detected units were confirmed remotely controlled that were initially sent to inspect the pipeline .
Divers contracted to investigate the source of a massive oil leak off the Orange County, California coast said a large section of a 17. 7-mile pipeline was moved out of place by as much as 105 feet, and a 13 – inch “split” in the line was detected. # OilSpill https://t.co/wWKoYI3KyH
– Ed Joyce (@EdJoyce) October 5, 2021
The authorities reported that divers observed that a section of 4, 000 feet of the pipeline was “displaced” laterally by 105 feet, in addition to noting a division of 13 inches on the line.
The Captain of the Coast Guard, Rebecca Ore, said that said division is the “probable source” that originated the spill of up to 144, 000 gallons of oil in the sea , forcing the closure of beaches in Orange County.
The authorities reported that no more hydrocarbon leak down the river ture in the pipeline line.
Too much force was needed to move it
Amplify Energy CEO Martyn Willsher noted that the line split occurred at the point where the pipeline moved the most. You mentioned that is a steel pipe of 16 inches covered with concrete, so it would take too much force to be able to move and break it .
Willsher acknowledged that the possibility of the break was caused for the anchor of a ship is among the options being examined as a potential cause.
Coast Guard officials confirmed that the agency had been alerted since Friday by the night about the possibility of an oil leak off the coast of Orange County.
The spill was reported around 9 a.m. Saturday, although some people reported since Friday night having noticed the presence of oil in the water .
Members of the unified command said that The National Response Center received a report of an unknown glow in the water on Friday night , but indicated that such reports are common. s and are often unfounded.
However, state teams responded to investigate before sunrise on Saturday, but the inspection could not be properly conducted due to foggy conditions . The Coast Guard and Orange County sheriffs deployed after sunrise.
Amplify Energy Company gave notice of the leak until 9 a.m. Saturday, with the argument that it had occurred at approximately 2: 30 am .
The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday ratified an emergency declaration that was issued Monday by the Chairman of the Board, Andrew Do.
Monday night, Governor Gavin Newsom decreed a state of emergency for Orange County for the purpose to reduce bureaucracy and to mobilize all available resources to protect public health and the environment.
In some social networks, Newsom’s presence in Huntington Beach was mentioned evaluating the situation.
They calculate oil leakage between 120, 000 and 150, 000 gallons
The county emergency management director, Michelle Anderson, informed supervisors that the spill estimate was between 120, 05 and 150,000 gallons of oil .
The impact has shifted to the south, for which the ports from Newport to Dana Point were closed, and it is expected that the hydrocarbon will continue to flow with the current to the south .
As of Tuesday morning about 4, 788 had been recovered about 4, 1980 oil and had been deployed 11, 360 feet of barriers to try to contain it.
Newport Beach welcomes visitors
While the beaches of Huntinton Beach remained closed, in Newport Beach visitors were allowed access to the sands, but without being able to access the sea water .
Boats in the port of Newport They will be able to operate in the port, but they are not allowed to enter or leave to avoid spreading more oil.
Newport Beach City Manager Grace Leung is expected to issue an emergency declaration this Tuesday , which could allow access to state and federal financial assistance.
Fauna damage
Eight birds affected by oil pollution have been recovered, including a pelican that had to be euthanized.
It was reported that was used seven aircraft to assess the size of the spill , as well as the damage and progress to contain it.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife ordered the closure of Southern California fisheries and prohibited Huntington Beach to Dana Point fish and shellfish catch .
Assess possible criminal liability by spill
Officials from the US Department of Justice and federal investigators s evaluated the evidence to determine if there is any criminal responsibility in relation to the oil spill , indicated the spokesman for the US Attorney’s Office, Thom Mrozek.
The Sunday, Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr called the problem a potential ecological disaster and warned that traces of oil had reached the shoreline and impacted the Talbert wetlands and the s endero del Río Santa Ana.
The official announced that the closure of the beaches could last from a few weeks or extend to several months .
The oil spill occurred in federal waters, on the Elly platform, built in 1980, in an area known as Campo Beta , where Amplify Energy operates two other oil platforms through the subsidiary Beta Operating Co .
In southern California you can find 23 oil and gas platforms.
It may interest you:
· Records show slow response to California oil spill
· Local economy, in addition to the environment, will be affected by the oil spill that occurred in Huntington Beach
· Demand an independent investigation into the Orange County oil spill