· On October 1, 2021 a crack in the San Pedro Bay Pipeline caused 25,000 gallons of crude oil to be spilled into the ocean. Wildlife were deeply affected because of this spill. Birds were coated in oil and fish were harmed and even killed as a result. Once cleanup of this spill started speculation was high at the time the cracked pipeline had damaged by an anchors of ocean carrier vessel located in the area. It was even speculated the anchors had dragged the pipeline out of place. With recent lawsuit filing we may have a better idea of what caused this disaster.
· Amplify Energy Corp. is the operator of the pipeline upon investigation of the disaterf confirmed they had received eight alarms in a 13-hour period. It was then revealed that Amplify and their subsidiaries response to the first five received alarms were to shut down and restart the pipeline five times. This sent more oil flowing through the cracked line for more than 3 hours. Amply has sated the crew was unaware that the leak detection system was malfunctioning when they investigated the received alarms.
· Amplify was indited by a grand jury on their handling of the catastrophe In December of 2021 and themselves filed a lawsuit against COSCO and MSC to hold them finically responsible for the damaged pipeline in February 2022. They have also included Marine Exchange in their lawsuit. Marine Exchange is responsible for directing traffic in the San Pedro Bay. Amplify has with their filing has alleged that on January 25, 2021, a storm had forced many ships in the area to take shelter, however they have claimed the MSC Danit (operated by MSC) and the COSCO Beijing (operated by COSCO) did not take shelter. Amply further alleges that as these vessels’ anchors struck the pipeline causing the damage and advised that had they been notified of this impact they would have been able to immediately assess the situation and make necessary repairs accordingly preventing the spill.
Wednesday March, 2, 2022
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