{"id":114605,"date":"2021-11-03T15:41:27","date_gmt":"2021-11-03T19:41:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/?p=114605"},"modified":"2022-02-26T16:06:09","modified_gmt":"2022-02-26T21:06:09","slug":"california-2021-oil-spill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/california-2021-oil-spill\/","title":{"rendered":"Lessons Unlearned: California 2021 Oil Spill"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Lauren Hansen, Staff Researcher\/Writer at Save the Water\u2122 | November 3, 2021<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier this month, a leak in an underwater crude oil pipeline leaked thousands of gallons of oil into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California onto the <\/span>land and waters of the indigenous Tongva, Kizh, and Acjachemen nations<\/span><\/a> who have had a <\/span>longstanding, close relationship with this area to meet their seasonal water needs<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The exact time of first reports of oil slick sightings is in dispute. However, the earliest alleged reports of oil in the water came from local harbor patrols <\/span>as early as the evening of October 1, 2021<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Amplify Energy operates the part of the pipeline where the leak occurred. According to Amplify\u2019s CEO, the <\/span>company was not aware of the oil spill<\/span><\/a> until the morning of October 2, 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What caused the oil spill?<\/span><\/h2>\n

So far, the most recent reports claim that the <\/span>pipeline had been damaged months prior<\/span><\/a>. Divers noticed marine growth on the pipeline to indicate earlier damage. The pipeline had been <\/span>displaced more than 100 feet<\/span><\/a>, likely as a result of a vessel dragging its anchor along the ocean floor. While this displacement had already breached the pipeline, experts believe another dragged anchor dealt the final blow. The <\/span>13-inch crack<\/span><\/a> released <\/span>tens of thousands of gallons of oil<\/span><\/a> into the ocean. Most estimates are around 25,000 gallons, but the highest estimate so far is at <\/span>144,000 gallons<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who is to blame for the oil spill?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The question of who is responsible is a two-part issue. On the one hand, Amplify Energy is under fire for <\/span>potentially neglecting pipeline maintenance and failing to react<\/span><\/a> to the leak in a timely manner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beta, a subsidiary company of Amplify Energy, runs two rigs that are connected to Elly, the pipeline\u2019s main platform processing platform. Beta has been <\/span>cited over a hundred times<\/span><\/a> for violations since 1981.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, investigators are tracking GPS data to determine which ship may have dragged its anchor across the pipeline. The owners and operators of the cargo ship <\/span>MSC DANIT<\/span><\/a> are currently under investigation as potential suspects.<\/span><\/p>\n

How has the oil spill affected the environment?<\/span><\/h2>\n

As of October 22, 2021, several dozen animals have been rescued, though some of the rescues have died. Here is a breakdown of the numbers:<\/span><\/p>\n