Heritage Platform (Exxon); Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara, California | 1996-May-02

Initial Notification: On May 1, 1996, as the platform Heritage restarted operations, oil was forced through the platform's gas-flame exhaust pipe. Some product was ignited as it was released but did not continue burning on the open seas. Weather was foggy with winds east-southeast at 10 to 12 knots, seas 1 to 2 feet with swells 4 to 6 feet. Platform personnel deployed containment boom and secured the source. Clean Seas was contacted. They brought skimming vessels on-scene and began open-water cleanup operations. When visibility allowed, Exxon and the USCG conducted overflights and estimated the volume of spilled material was between 50 and 200 barrels. Clean Seas collected larger concentrations of oil with skimmers and towed booms. During night operations, oil was corralled in booms and skimmed. The cause of this incident is being investigated by MMS and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary was notified. This response lasted through the day with minimal night operations and, on the first overflight May 3, no oil could be found. USCG district 11. Keyword: Clean Seas.