Ali tankers loaded with Alaskan crude oil sailing between Alaska and California ports will stay at least 50 nautical miles from the California mainland under a voluntary agreement by 10 oil shipping companies.
"The voluntary minimum distance agreement is intended to provide coastal environmental resources with added protection from potential oil spills," said Capt. Alex MacGillivray of Arco Marine Inc. and spokesman for the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA).
The association coordinated the agreement.
Companies maintaining the voluntary minimum distance off the coast are Arco Marine, Exxon Shipping Co., Phillips Petroleum Co., BP Oil Shipping Co., West Coast Shipping Co., Unocal, Chevron Shipping Co., Shell Oil Co., Texaco Inc., and Mobil Oil Corp.
Vessel captains were to be ordered to change their voyage plans and begin honoring the new limit effective last week.
About 1 million b/d of crude oil are delivered to California by tankers, accounting for about 50% of the state's petroleum requirements.
Because nearly all of California's imported oil comes from Alaska, it is estimated that about 85% of all crude oil tankers arriving in California will be covered by the agreement.
This will include vessels owned or chartered by the oil shipping companies.
Each company will administer the agreement separately for compliance.
WSPA said moving routes farther to sea will reduce tanker traffic congestion. It also will allow more time for cleanup crews to respond to an oil spill and reduce the likelihood that spilled oil will reach the California shoreline.
The 50 mile minimum distance was agreed to after a review of data and studies of oil spill trajectories, spill recovery and salvage vessel response capabilities, present vessel routes, and consultation with the California Department of Fish and Game's Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response.
Tankers loaded with Alaskan crude will deviate from the 50 mile distance requirement only when approaching a port, in the interest of safety, or if a vessel is denied permission to proceed through military areas.
Participating companies estimate that the voluntary agreement will increase industry's crude oil shipping costs by several million dollars a year. "But we believe the move will further enhance marine resource protection," MacGillivray said.
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