California oil spill endangers wildlife

Headway made in cleanup

September 30, 1997
Web posted at: 1:03 p.m. EDT (1703 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- An oil spill caused by a leak in an offshore platform's undersea pipeline has killed at least one bird, but should be cleaned up within 72 hours, officials said Tuesday.

The spill discovered Monday in the Pacific Ocean, a half-mile from the central California coast at its closest point, was four miles by two miles.

The U.S. Coast Guard estimated that 10,000 to 20,000 gallons of heavy crude oil had leaked from the pipeline starting Sunday, less than originally thought. Initial reports indicated that up to 121,000 gallons -- the amount of oil in the pipeline at the time -- may have leaked.

Estimates of the amount of oil spilled varied greatly, because the crude was mixed with water before going through the pipeline.

The oil escaped through a crack in a flange connecting two pieces of pipe, said Art Boehm, a spokesman for Torch Operating Co., which operates Platform Irene for Nuevo Energy Co. of Houston. It was not immediately known what caused the crack. The pipe was inspected and found in good condition in July, Boehm said.

The pipeline, linking an oil-pumping platform off Point Arguello to an oil field in Lompoc, California, was shut down after a low pressure alarm sounded.

Endangered species frequent area of spill

The coastal area north of Los Angeles falls within the boundaries of Vandenberg Air Force Base, which takes up 35 miles of coastline and 98,400 acres. The coast is home to several endangered species, including western snowy plovers, least terns, brown pelicans and sea otters.

Officials from Vandenberg are concerned about some of the wildlife on the base and the potential environmental impact, according to Lt. Carole Kanode.

One of nine oiled birds found on the beach had died. The condition of the others was not immediately known. About a half dozen birds had been spotted in the slick.