California Oil Spill Investigation: Ship Anchor Cited as Possible Cause

By Daniel Trotta

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – More oil from a substantial offshore spill washed ashore in Southern California on Monday, leading to beach closures and the discovery of dead fish and birds on the coastline. Authorities are investigating whether a ship anchor may have struck a pipeline, potentially causing the leak.

Emergency crews, clad in white coveralls and helmets, are working swiftly to clean up the aftermath of approximately 3,000 barrels (126,000 gallons) of oil that spilled into the Pacific Ocean in recent days from a pipeline linked to an offshore facility owned by Amplify Energy Corp.

At a press conference on Monday, Amplify CEO Martyn Willsher acknowledged that a ship anchor might have impacted the pipeline. He revealed that the line has been shut down and its remaining oil removed, although the company saw its shares plummet by 44% amid heavy trading.

Many container ships have recently been stranded off the coast, waiting to enter port. The Coast Guard is currently investigating whether one of these ships’ anchors could have damaged the pipeline, according to Captain Rebecca Ore, who noted the possibility of transiting over a pipeline.

As cleanup crews worked along the beach and wetlands extending inland from the coast, residents reported a foul odor in the days preceding the spill and expressed concern over the apparent inattention to their earlier warnings.

Willsher stated that Amplify did not receive any reports regarding a foul smell on Friday. The pipeline and oil platform are managed by Amplify’s California subsidiary.

Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles reported that the department received several reports of a strong smell on Thursday and Friday, but such instances are common and an official report of an oil spill was not received until midday Saturday.

The timeline of these reports will be part of the investigation, according to Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, who noted that mariners had observed an oil sheen on Friday night.

Officials deployed around 2,050 feet (625 meters) of protective booms to contain the oil and managed to recover about 3,150 gallons by Sunday, as stated by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Willsher mentioned that a specific area has been identified as a potential leak source, which divers will examine. However, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasized that Amplify’s divers should not be allowed near the pipeline without oversight from independent investigators like the Coast Guard. "The company should not manage its own investigation regarding the significant environmental and economic damages," Spitzer asserted.

Huntington Beach, located approximately 40 miles (65 km) south of Los Angeles, reported 13 square miles (34 square km) of ocean and parts of its coastline affected by the spill, according to Mayor Kim Carr. This area, known as Surf City USA, is one of the few in Southern California where oil platforms can be seen from the beach.

Among the affected areas is the Magnolia Marsh, a rehabilitated wetland that supports up to 90 bird species each year, including several that are endangered or threatened.

The Huntington Beach pier, a well-known surfing spot, has been closed, leaving the water unoccupied. Further along the coast at Bolsa Chica State Beach, surfer Marty Kish expressed frustration, saying, "Everyone’s asking, ‘How could it happen?’"

Currently, there are about 23 oil and gas production facilities operating in federal waters off California, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Amplify’s Beta Offshore division manages three of these facilities, with the pipeline connected to the Elly offshore platform.

Federal regulators have increased scrutiny over aging pipelines and offshore energy infrastructure. Since the 1940s, energy companies have laid 40,000 miles (64,000 km) of oil and gas pipelines in federal offshore waters.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) noted this year that regulators have not adequately addressed the risks associated with idle pipelines and platforms. "As pipelines age, they become more vulnerable to damage from corrosion, mudslides, and erosion," GAO observed.