The Company Responsible For Orange County's Broken Pipeline Promises To 'Take Care Of It'

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — Authorities are investigating whether or not a ship's anchor struck an offshore pipeline and resulted in 126,000 gallons of oil spilling into waters just 6 miles away from Newport Beach Saturday, Amplify Energy CEO Martyn Willsher said in a news conference Monday. This comes after an "area of significant interest" was discovered along the pipeline Monday morning.

The anchor became “of of the distinct possibilities” behind the spill, Amplify Energy CEO Martyn Willsher told reporters.

“We’re looking into if it could have been an anchor from a ship, but that’s in the assessment phase right now,” Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Jeannie Shaye said.

Massive cargo ships routinely pass through both the Long Beach and Los Angeles ports, Coast Guard officials said.

View More: Orange County Oil Spill: Photos As Ocean Cleanup Ensues

Since the oil spill was reported Saturday, Amplify Energy has sent remotely operated underwater robot vehicles with cameras to investigate the pipeline. Since Monday, the cameras have looked at 8,000 feet of pipe and found one area of interest, Willsher said.

Divers will investigate to determine the next steps in the Beta Offshore Orange County oil spill disaster.

Amplify Energy, the Houston-based company that claimed responsibility for Beta Offshore's oil spill, is sending a team of divers to the area to further assess the cause of the damaged line.
The last "smart pig" inspection on the pipeline was done in 2019, Willsher said. A smart pig inspection involves a camera that travels inside of the pipeline to assess any potential internal damage.

"Whatever needs to be done, regardless of cost, we will take care of it," Willsher said. The money to clean up the oil spill will come from the company's "significant insurance" and other funds on hand, Willsher said.

The spill that began spreading across the coast of Orange County Saturday has been moving south, Shaye said Monday. This is due to natural factors, including winds and coastal currents.

As of Monday, four oiled birds were recovered, including a pelican that had to be euthanized because of a preexisting condition, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Lt. Christian Corbo said at the news conference.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife imposed a fisheries closure from Sunset Beach in Huntington Beach to Dana Point, prohibiting all people from fishing in the area while measures are taken to isolate and clear the oil from the water.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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