Huntington Beach Oil Spill Update
Update, October 8. The oil spill could have been as small as only 25,000 gallons. They have now photographed the straight 13” split on the pipeline. That small a volume would not have triggered a pressure drop sensor. Many interests are suing the pipeline company.
It’s becoming clear that the oil spill was not an accident, and not due to aged structures. The evidence is that a 4,000 foot section of the pipe was dragged up to 105 feet. That opened a 13 inch split in the pipe. There is also evidence of an anchor strike. The amount of the spill has now been increased to 144,000 gallons, or 3,430 barrels. Beaches from Huntington Beach to Dana Point have now been shut for the cleanup. The spill has now reached all of the way down to Mexico.
A decrease in the pressure of the pipe was noticed at 2:30 AM, Saturday, but they did not shut down the oil pumping until 6:01 AM. But remember, people by the beach noticed an odor Friday afternoon, and I did Friday evening, in Irvine.
Experts emphasize that the ingestion of the spill starts with small fish, and then propagates all of the way up the food change of larger fish, birds, and then mammals of porpoises, sea lions, and whales.
Many questions are still unanswered. Which ship did it? We’re they not warned that the pipe was near where they anchored? Did they not notice that their electronic map showed the pipeline?
On the pipeline, were their instruments up to regulations, up to date, and functioning properly? Were they being continuously monitored? Could they find the offending ship and notify it?
Modern technology has improved remarkably in the 40 years since the Beta Field complex was built. Can an innovative or even up-to-date tech oil company modernize the entire system?
The local Congressional representative has responded rapidly in asking for aid from the state and federal level, and watching the actions to clean up the spill. However, I have not seen Michelle Steele call for a cessation and dismantling of offshore oil drilling in Southern California. 23 of the 27 drilling platforms are in the federal zone, and will probably need a federal cancellation of their leases. The apparent danger of this operation in a field of a vast number of ships backed up at the Los Angeles — Long Beach Harbor for offloading should be a good argument to at least turn off the drilling while that lasts. There is also a possibility that the insurance companies will not cover the wells in the area as is required by federal law. Again, at least the anchoring of ships in the entire drilling and piping areas must be halted.
