Sheen near Platform Holly; Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara, CA | 2021-Dec-11

Initial Notification: On the morning of 11-DEC-2021, USCG Marine Safety Detachment (MSD) Santa Barbara contacted their NOAA SSC regarding a sheen report near Platform Holly. On 10-DEC-2021, a member of the public took uncrewed aerial system (UAS aka “drone”) photos of sheen which were picked up by local media. Coal Oil Point seeps are among the most active natural seep areas in the world, releasing an estimated 6,500-7,000 gallons/day of oil. Platform Holly and other nearby platforms have been shut-in since the Refugio pipeline spill in 2015 and Holly is undergoing decommissioning by the State of CA. Decommissioning crews report no releases from the platform. A first light overflight by USCG observed a large, crescent-shaped area of sheen (4 miles east/west by 2 miles north/south). MSD Santa Barbara requested an oil fate & transport estimate.