Amplify Energy Corp. subsidiary Beta Offshore Operating Co. LLC on Oct. 2, 2021, observed and notified the US Coast Guard (USCG) of an oil sheen 4 miles off the coast of Southern California and initiated its oil spill prevention and response plan.
A broken pipeline off the coast of Huntington Beach, Calif., caused the spill, according to city officials. Beta’s holdings include San Pedro Bay Pipeline Co., which owns and operates a 16-in. OD subsea pipeline extending 17.5 miles from one of its platforms to an onshore pump station, metering, and tankage at the Port of Long Beach.
The company has sent a remotely operated vehicle to investigate and attempt to confirm the source of the release. As a precautionary measure, the company’s production and pipeline operations at Beta field have been shut down.
USCG on Oct.2 described the resulting oil slick as covering 13 sq miles. Amplify Energy is addressing the situation as part of a unified command also consisting of the USCG and California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating.
As of late Oct. 3, 2021, about 3,150 gal of oil had been recovered out of at least 126,000 gal spilled, USCG said. Fourteen boats are involved in recovery operations, deploying 5,360 ft of boom.
Beta produced 3,600 b/d in second-quarter 2021, according to Amplify.
