Explainer: Why Is It So Difficult to Clean Up an Offshore Oil Spill? By Reuters

By Jessica Resnick-Ault

NEW YORK – Oil spills in ocean waters are challenging to manage due to their rapid spread caused by winds and tides. A recent spill of approximately 3,000 barrels off the southern California coast, while not as catastrophic as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, poses significant risks to wildlife and coastal areas before cleanup efforts can begin.

U.S. federal and state teams initiate their response by deploying diving crews and utilizing containment booms—floating barriers designed to limit the spread of oil far offshore, thereby protecting coastlines. Despite these efforts, the recent spill extended several miles into the Pacific Ocean.

"As the oil continues to move, the cleanup area expands, necessitating a sustained effort," stated U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Jeannine Shaye during a press conference. "We currently have 14 vessels on the water hired by spill response organizations."

According to a spill response plan submitted by the pipeline owner, specific cleanup equipment was stationed on a nearby platform named Elly. This included sorbent pads, sorbent booms, and tracking buoys, among other tools.

Containment booms work by trapping as much oil as possible using a skirt that extends into the water, held in place by a chain or cable. They also feature a "freeboard" above the waterline to prevent oil from splashing out of the containment area. However, their effectiveness can diminish during storms or high waves.

Residents of Orange County reported seeing tar-like balls washing ashore, and in some scenarios, dispersants are applied to break up oil clumps, especially when spills occur farther offshore.

Since the Deepwater Horizon incident, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has established two new databases to improve detection of oil spills and track their movement.

For effective recovery of a large oil slick, specialized ships can maneuver alongside the containment area to trap and pump oil into onboard tanks. Remote-operated skimmers may also be deployed, which scoop up oil from the water’s surface. However, these skimmers are most effective in calm waters and can inadvertently capture more water than oil.

Sorbents, which absorb oil, are typically used for thicker grades of crude and were deemed effective for the heavier oil involved in this spill, which contained thick, tar-like components that are easier to manage with sorbent pads.