Nearly 500,000 liters of oil spilled in California – News

A spill resulting from a ruptured pipeline was detected last week on the west coast of the United States, but Captain Jason Neubauer, investigating officer of the coast guard of that country, clarified on Friday that the crack could have happen last year. and that, until now, it is not clear exactly when or how this happened.

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Neubauer explained that he observed through a video that “marine life” had developed around the rupture of about 33 centimeters in the pipe, whose concrete protection was removed, according to the news agency. AFP.

This “redefined the timing of (the) investigation from several months to a year,” the captain said, adding that a routine inspection carried out in October 2020 by Amplify Energy – the operator of the pipeline – had not recorded no modification.

“We will be investigating all movement of vessels on this pipeline and in the surrounding areas” since last year, Neubauer said.

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Authorities are analyzing whether a storm in January influenced changes in the distribution of ships or whether recent earthquakes hit the pipeline.

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Martyn Willsher, chief executive of Amplify Energy in charge of the pipeline, said underwater assessments have revealed that 1,200 meters of pipeline is where it shouldn’t be.

“The pipeline was basically stretched like a rope,” the businessman said, adding that at its widest point “it’s 32 meters from where it should be”.

Traffic jams caused by the pandemic are forcing dozens of container ships to park offshore while waiting to dock.

Ships are given coordinates to anchor, usually away from places that carry risk, such as those with pipelines.

The estimated worst-case fuel spill is approximately 495,000 liters, while more than 20 birds were rescued alive, while ten more died.

Until now, cleaning crews removed some 25,000 liters of oil from the coast.

Photo: Getty Images