On June 22, 2005, an oil spill was caused by a landslide that damaged a pipeline from an oil storage tank to a tributary to the Newhall Creek in Santa Clarita, CA (formerly thought to be Placerita Creek). The spill was traced by Los Angeles County Fire to the Petro-Resouces, Inc. (PRI) USL Lease crude oil production field.
Approximately 1000 gallons of heavy crude (asphalt-like) and an unknown amount of production water was released. The lease/land owner PRI has retained a cleanup contractor and is currently conducting removal operations.
An FOSC and START responded to the spill. A unified command was set up with the California Department of Fish and Game (CADFG) to manage the incident.
PRI was ordered to eliminate the source of the spill or take measures to prevent a recurrance. PRI has been doing a very good job cleaning out tanks and draining lines. Everything looks great. The big tanks have been steam cleaned; drained pipes have been cut and covers have been welded over the ends; and valves have been chained closed.
Continue to monitor PRI's compliance with the order.
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