California’s worst oil spill in nearly three decades has come under scrutiny after a government report revealed that Amplify Energy Corp. took more than three hours to stop the leak from its San Pedro Bay Pipeline on October 2. The incident, which spilled as much as 3,000 barrels of oil along the coast, has drawn attention to the company’s delayed response and raised concerns about pipeline safety.

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a low-pressure alarm was triggered around 2:30 a.m., signaling a potential issue with the pipeline. However, it wasn’t until 6:01 a.m. that Amplify’s Beta Offshore unit finally shut down the pipeline.

Despite requests for comment, the company has not responded to inquiries regarding the delayed action. Bill Caram, executive director of Pipeline Safety Trust, expressed concern over the delay, noting that while operational issues can cause sudden pressure drops, pipelines are expected to be shut down much more quickly in such instances. “The facts stated are very concerning to us,” Caram said, emphasizing the need for more prompt action in cases like this.

A Major Environmental Disaster

The spill, which occurred off the coast of Southern California, is considered the largest since a 1994 earthquake ruptured a pipeline, and its environmental impact has been severe. The oil has drifted along the coastline, forcing the closure of popular beaches and damaging wetlands, much to the distress of local communities and environmental groups.

Divers investigating the spill discovered a 13-inch tear in the pipeline, which U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Rebecca Ore described as the likely source of the release. In addition, about 4,000 feet of the pipeline was laterally displaced by 105 feet, suggesting significant physical damage to the infrastructure.

Martyn Willsher, CEO of Amplify, commented that the pipeline was “pulled like a bowstring” but stressed that this type of dislocation was rare. He also stated that the company did not confirm the leak until approximately 8 a.m. that morning, when an oil sheen was spotted on the water.

Delayed Response Raises Red Flags

Even after the pipeline was shut down, Amplify’s Beta Offshore unit did not report the spill to the National Response Center for another three hours, according to the report. The company initially estimated that around 700 barrels had been released, but this number was revised upward to about 3,000 barrels.

PHMSA has ordered Amplify to review and assess its emergency response procedures, including communication with emergency responders and public officials. However, the agency has not yet clarified whether the time taken to shut down the pipeline and notify authorities was excessive.

Preliminary investigations suggest the leak may have been caused by an anchor that hooked the pipeline, creating a partial tear. While no confirmation has been made about whether a ship was involved, this theory remains under investigation.

The Road Ahead for Amplify and California’s Environment

The spill has caused significant damage to both the environment and Amplify’s reputation. Despite CEO Willsher’s assurance that the company will do “everything we can to make things right,” questions remain about the company’s preparedness for handling such crises.

With California’s coastal ecosystems already fragile, the long-term environmental consequences of the spill are still unfolding. As investigations continue and the company faces mounting pressure from regulators and the public, Amplify Energy’s ability to recover from this crisis remains uncertain.