A major oil spill has been reported off the coast of Orange County, California. The spill is reported to be about 13 square miles in size, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Namely, the US Coast Guard received an initial report of an oil sheen off the coast of Newport Beach on October 2. It deployed an aircraft to monitor the extent of the oil slick, with assistance from the Huntington Beach Police Department’s aviation assets.
According to local officials, the oil spill came from an underwater pipeline from the aging Elly platform, located at the Beta oilfield off Orange County’s coast. The pipeline rupture released about 125,000 gallons of crude into the water.
By October 3, the line was partially patched but still releasing oil, with additional repair efforts being expected soon.
The spill is expected to impact about eight miles of beachline, with Newport Beach Mayor Brad Avery, commenting that:
Unfortunately, the size and potential impact of this oil spill make it necessary for people to stay out of the water and avoid contact with the oil. The City’s top priority is to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors during the cleanup effort
As of October 3, 1,200 gallons of oily water mixture have been recovered.
