On March 16, 2004, Krik Oil Co. Well #80 erupted releasing approximately 160 barrels of oil and water into the environment. The site is located approximately 400 yards from the Pacific Ocean. The gusher from the well sprayed fine aerosolized oil droplets over an area encompassing 360 residential dwellings.
In response to the gusher, Huntington Beach Fire Department (HBFD) responded and set up a unified command. The unified command eventually included: HBFD, Huntington Beach Public Works, Huntington Beach Police Department, California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR); California Department of Fish and Game, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Orange Co. Health Care Agency, USEPA and Cannery-Hamilton Properties, LLC (LLC). LLC and the lease owner were issued NOFIs and cleanup orders. The LLC is currently conducting the cleanup of the well site and the neighborhood under the supervision of the USEPA Region 9.
The well was plugged and abandoned by the DOGGR. Cleanup of the well lease site will include removal and disposal of all crude oil contaminated soil and all contaminated vegetation, disposal of all contaminated debris, removal of the well pump,pumping of material from the tanks and dismantling of the tanks.
