Causes of oil spills in the ocean

a citizen reported the leak at about noon Tuesday coming from the pipeline off the 101 Freeway. The pipeline, owned by Santa Maria-based Plains All-American Pipeline, ended up being on land, additionally the oil flowed from a culvert into the oceans.

The culvert had been later obstructed together with leak had been stopped, Plains All-American Pipeline's officials said. It was initially reported an estimated 21, 000 gallons of oil spilled into the ocean, but a defined quantity was unidentified.

"flatlands profoundly regrets this release has actually happened and it is making every effort to limit its environmental influence. Our focus remains on making sure the safety of involved, " flatlands All-American Pipeline released in a statement.

Plains All-American Pipeline was also taking part in an oil spill in Atwater Village in May 2014, when a rush pipeline spewed about 10, 000 gallons of crude oil over a 1/2-mile location.

At one-point, whales could be seen swimming in the region. Clean-up teams attemptedto press the pets out of the oil.

Concerned residents in addition scoured the shores trying to save any pets that will happen caught when you look at the dense, gooey oil. Up to now, there were no reports of any injured wildlife, but photos from Santa Barbara-based online news website Noozhawk showed birds caught in muck.

Officials with all the Coast Guard said the sludge is known as a "medium-sized" pour.

Santa Barbara County workplace of Emergency control, Exxon, the Santa Barbara County Fire division and California Department of Fish and Wildlife were on scene.

About 20 drums of oil have now been recovered to date.

The general public had been advised in order to avoid the area during clean-up. Refugio Beach and its campground were closed until further notice. Officials stated the oil could spread another 2 to 4 miles south down the coastline as a result of winds and browse.