Accident site after the pipeline strike. Source: US Coast Guard
The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a virtual public board meeting Dec 5 to determine the probable cause of a crude oil leak from a crack that had developed in a subsea pipeline located in San Pedro Bay, 5 nautical miles off the coast of Huntington Beach, California on Oct 21, 2021. This is a multimodal investigation with the Office of Marine Safety (OMS) and the Office of Railroad, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations. OMS is the lead office.
The pipeline was shut down and isolated after oil was spotted on the surface of the water. About 588 barrels of oil are estimated to have leaked from the pipeline. A postaccident examination of the pipeline found a crack running longitudinally along the top of the pipeline, and about 4,000 feet of the pipeline was displaced up to 105 feet to the southeast from its original location. Additionally, near the location of the pipe breach, the seafloor was scarred from apparent dragging anchors.
During the meeting, NTSB board members will discuss safety issues related to this leak as well as the need for improvements to Vessel Traffic Service vessel monitoring systems offenders. The board will vote on the probable cause and findings related to the leak and safety recommendations.
Members of the public and the media can view the webcast of the meeting at http://ntsb.windrosemedia.com.
Additional information is included in the public docket for the investigation. The docket includes factual information such as reports, interview transcripts and other investigative materials.
WHAT: A virtual NTSB board meeting on the October 2021 crude oil release in San Pedro Bay following anchor strikes of an underwater pipeline
WHO: NTSB investigative staff and board members
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time
HOW: A link to the webcast will be available shortly before the start of the meeting at http://ntsb.windrosemedia.com
