126,000 Gallons of Crude Oil Leak from Underwater Pipeline in One of the State’s Largest Spills
Southern California’s Huntington State Beach was eerily quiet on Sunday, with no beachgoers in sight, as public works officials scrambled to contain one of the largest oil spills in recent state history. An estimated 126,000 gallons of heavy crude oil leaked from an underwater pipeline over the weekend, threatening local wildlife and the region’s pristine coastline.
The spill is believed to have originated from a 17.5-mile pipeline located 80 to 100 feet below the surface off the coast of Orange County. The pipeline is connected to an oil production platform, Elly, which is part of a network of offshore platforms owned by the Houston-based company, Amplify Energy Corp.
Locals reported noticing a heavy petroleum smell and oil sheen on Friday evening. By Saturday, the Coast Guard confirmed the presence of an oil slick and initiated a coordinated response to address the spill. Amplify Energy Corp shut down the pipeline and operations on the nearby platforms, with CEO Martyn Willsher stating that measures had been taken to prevent further leakage.
Despite efforts to deploy booms to contain the spill, environmentalists and locals voiced frustration over the delayed response. Garry Brown, president of the environmental group Orange County Coastkeeper, expressed concern that the damage was already done by the time the oil reached the shore. With beaches closed, officials are now working to rescue wildlife affected by the oil and prevent further damage to sensitive marshlands.
