Pipeline Involved in California Oil Spill Shifted 105 Feet Along Sea Floor, Reports Reuters

By Jessica Resnick-Ault and Nichola Groom

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – A segment of the oil pipeline that ruptured off the Southern California coast has been moved 105 feet (32 meters) along the ocean floor, raising concerns about whether a ship’s anchor may have contributed to the environmental incident.

This information emerged as the U.S. Coast Guard and the drilling company Amplify Energy faced increased scrutiny over the delay in their response to the oil spill. Reports indicated that mariners first noticed oil patches in the water on Friday night, but official notification of the spill did not occur until Saturday afternoon.

Approximately 3,000 barrels (126,000 gallons) of oil were released into the Pacific Ocean, resulting in extensive harm to wildlife, pollution along the coastline, and closures of beaches in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach in Orange County, which is located south of Los Angeles.

The leak reportedly occurred through a 13-inch (33-cm) tear in the pipeline, which had been "pulled like a bowstring" a significant distance from its original position, according to Martyn Willsher, the chief executive of Amplify Energy. Amplify owns the ruptured pipeline and its associated rigs.

A total of 4,000 feet (1.2 km) of the 17.7-mile (28.5 km) pipeline was laterally displaced, as revealed by remotely operated vehicles, according to U.S. Coast Guard Captain Rebecca Ore.

California Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted that the incident emphasized the inherent dangers of fossil fuel dependency, particularly in a state already grappling with drought and wildfires linked to climate change. He urged for a shift towards renewable energy solutions.

A "good Samaritan" initially reported an oil sheen on the water’s surface to officials on Friday night, although this report was deemed "inconclusive." Satellite imagery from federal agencies later confirmed the oil’s presence.

State Senator Tom Umberg, who represents the coastal area, called for an explanation regarding the delayed response and the adequacy of pipeline inspections, expressing frustration over how such a disaster could occur.

Huntington Beach, known as Surf City USA, is one of the few locations in Southern California where oil rigs can be seen from the shore. Willsher refrained from speculating on the cause of the rupture, although he had previously suggested a possible anchor strike might be involved. He emphasized the unusual nature of the pipeline’s displacement, given its construction.

The pipeline extends from the Elly platform, situated about nine miles (14.5 km) offshore in 255 feet of water, towards the port. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that the entire pipeline will remain closed until deemed safe for reopening.

If a ship’s anchor did indeed damage the pipeline, it might be related to changes in shipping patterns brought about by the pandemic. COVID-19 significantly reduced maritime traffic, which has since rebounded with lengthy delays.

Currently, 63 container ships are waiting in San Pedro Bay to unload at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. On September 19, a record 97 ships were queued in what has been described as a backlog due to COVID-related issues.

Before the pandemic, typically only one container ship would anchor in the bay at any given time, noted Captain Kip Louttit of the Marine Exchange.

Two former Amplify employees, who preferred to remain anonymous, indicated that anchor strikes could plausibly explain the pipeline’s damage, citing previous instances of offshore pipes being dented or scratched by anchor impacts.

Environmental group SkyTruth reported that satellite imagery from October 1, the day prior to the spill’s first report, showed cargo ships anchored in proximity to the pipeline’s location, although the nearest ship was approximately 450 meters away. SkyTruth President John Amos expressed uncertainty about the accuracy of government data regarding the pipeline’s position on the seafloor.