Plains responds to California oil spill

A broken pipeline spilled 21 000 gallons (79 500 litres) of crude oil into the ocean before it was shut off on Tuesday, creating a slick stretching about 6.4 km along the central California coastline, the US Coast Guard has reported.

The oil has been traced the oil to an onshore pipeline that spilled into a culvert running under the US 101 freeway and into a storm drain that empties into the ocean.

The pipeline is owned by Plains All American Pipeline, which said it shut down the flow of oil and the culvert carrying the oil to the ocean was blocked.

"Plains deeply regrets this release has occurred and is making every effort to limit its environmental impact," the company said in a statement.

The Coast Guard, county emergency officials and state parks officials are cleaning up the spill. About 3200 litres of oil have been recovered from the water, Williams said.

Overnight winds this week are expected to push the spill down the coast and closer to Santa Barbara.

Edited from various sources by Elizabeth Corner

Sources: CBC, The Guardian

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/21052015/plains-responds-to-california-oil-spill/