Thursday, June 23, 2016

Thousands of gallons of crude oil spilled in Ventura County, California




Up to 700 Barrels of Crude Oil Spill From Pipeline in Ventura County
By Jessica Perez and Nyree Arabian

WE WANT WATER, NOT OIL


An oil spill early on Thursday, June 23, 2016 caused thousands of gallons of oil to spill into a Ventura canyon. Cleanup crews have capped the spill and are working to clean up the remaining oil. (Published 58 minutes ago)


An estimated 700 barrels of crude oil spilled Thursday from a pipeline in the Ventura area, officials said.

A hazmat investigation began after units discovered a pipeline had burst about 5:30 a.m. in the Hall Canyon area above the city of Ventura, according to Ventura County Fire Capt. Mike Lindberry.



Thousands of gallons of crude oil spilled from a Ventura pipeline on Thursday, June 23, 2016.
Photo credit: Ventura County Fire Department

Crews found crude oil flowing into the Prince Barranca, a natural flow of water that leads to the beach near the Ventura Pier.

Firefighters rushed to stop the flow to prevent it from leaking into the ocean. Nearly 30,000 gallons of oil had spilled a half-mile down the barranca but it did not reach the beach, officials said.


Officials initially reported approximately 210,000 gallons may have spilled but later revised the number.

Crews shut down and depressurized the pipeline. There was no immediate information on the possible cause.


The spill comes 13 months after a coastal pipeline about 55 miles to the west in Santa Barbara County leaked more than 120,000 gallons of oil.

That pipeline, owned by Plains All American Pipeline, was found to have been corroded.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.