FINAL UPDATE: Unified Command concludes response to sheen offshore of Huntington Beach

March 11, 2024

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Unified Command concluded its response Monday to an oil sheen observed offshore of Huntington Beach.

Over the weekend, cleanup crews recovered approximately 85 gallons of product from offshore recovery efforts and removed roughly 1,050 pounds of oily waste/sand and tar balls from the shoreline. Official quantification of product collected throughout the response is ongoing.

“In the face of this environmental challenge, the strength of our partnerships has once again proven to be our greatest asset. The Coast Guard, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s, Office of Spill Prevention and Response, and our local Orange County agencies and departments mobilized swiftly to mitigate the impact of the oil sheen off Huntington Beach,” said Capt. Ryan Manning, the federal on-scene coordinator for the response. “This operation underscores the importance of readiness, collaboration, and a shared dedication to preserving the natural beauty and health of our environment. As we conclude this response, we remain vigilant and prepared to respond to future incidents, ensuring the protection of our marine and coastal resources for generations to come.”

The U.S. Coast Guard and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR) collected samples from the offshore sheen and tar balls along the shoreline to help determine the source of the oil. Analyses by CDFW-OSPR’s Petroleum Chemistry Lab were unable to definitively identify the oil source.

However, the preliminary laboratory results of the oil samples collected confirm that the release is lightly weathered crude oil and not a refined product like gasoline or diesel. They also indicate that the samples are consistent with local crude oil with characteristics of the Monterey Formation and not imported crude oil that may be brought by ship to California.

The preliminary laboratory results indicate that the oil samples analyzed from this incident are more characteristic of freshly produced oil than heavily weathered oil, which is associated with typical natural seeps. The lab results were also inconsistent with archived samples from oil platforms in the area. While a discharge of produced water from Platform Elly was reported on the morning of March 8 (CalOES #24-1414), the characteristics of the produced water do not align with what was observed from the sheen.

While it is believed this was a one-time event, samples will be taken for additional analysis if another release is observed. The USCG and CDFW-OSPR will return to their standard emergency response posture. Huntington Beach Lifeguards will continue to monitor the beach for tarball conditions that exceed characteristics associated with natural seeps in the area.

UPDATE 3: Unified Command continues response to sheen offshore of Huntington Beach

March 10, 2024

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Unified Command continues to oversee the response to an oil sheen observed offshore of Huntington Beach.

An overflight conducted this morning did not observe any sheen offshore. As such, offshore recovery assets will be demobilized. Shoreline cleanup teams continue to observe tar balls along the beaches in Huntington Beach and will continue to remove them as needed.

Cleanup crews recovered approximately 85 gallons of product from offshore recovery and removed about 800 pounds of oily waste and tar balls from the shoreline.

CDFW-OSPR consulted with the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). Based on information received from on-scene responders, OEHHA finds there is not likely to be a public health threat associated with consuming fish due to the incident. As such, there is no fisheries closure. OEHHA advises against fishing in areas with a visible sheen on the water.

With offshore recovery concluded the on-water safety zone is no longer in effect. There are no beach closures, but the public is advised to avoid contact with tar balls along the shoreline.

Wildlife Branch operations continue today, and crews are surveying the shoreline and are prepared to respond to reports of oiled wildlife. As of 10 a.m., three live birds that were visibly oiled were recovered: a Brandt’s cormorant, a common loon, and a western grebe. The cormorant died in care overnight. An injured, unoiled snowy plover that was captured also died overnight. Anyone observing oiled wildlife should not attempt to capture it; instead, please report observations of oiled wildlife to 1-877-UCD-OWCN (1-877-823-6926). This phone number is not an informational or volunteer hotline.

For clarification, reports that Platform Elly reported a discharge of produced water on the morning of March 8 are correct. Still, the characteristics of the produced water from Platform Elly do not align with what was observed from the sheen. Currently, we do not believe the sheen and the discharge are related.

Media inquiries can be directed to the USCG Public Affairs Detachment at padetla@uscg.mil.

The investigation into the source of the sheen is ongoing.

UPDATE 2: Unified Command continues response to sheen offshore of Huntington Beach

March 9, 2024

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – The Unified Command continues its response Saturday to an oil sheen located two and a half miles off Huntington Beach.

An overflight on the morning of March 9 did not observe any remaining recoverable sheen. Tar balls were observed along the shoreline in Huntington Beach, and onshore recovery teams will assess the shoreline and remove them as needed.

A Notice to Mariners and a safety zone are in effect 1,000 yards around any response vessel. There are currently no beach closures.

CDFW-OSPR consulted with the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). Based on information received from on-scene responders, OEHHA finds there is not likely to be a public health threat associated with consuming fish due to the incident. As such, there is no fisheries closure. OEHHA advises against fishing in areas with a visible sheen on the water.

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network was activated, and crews are surveying the shoreline and responding to reports of oiled wildlife. As of 10 a.m. on March 9, four live birds are in care. Three of the birds in care were visibly oiled (a cormorant, loon, and grebe). Responders also captured an injured, unoiled snowy plover was also captured and taken for care. Anyone observing oiled wildlife should not attempt to capture it; instead, please report observations of oiled wildlife to 1-877-UCD-OWCN (1-877-823-6926). This is not an informational or volunteer hotline.

For clarification, reports that Platform Elly reported a discharge of produced water on the morning of March 8 are correct. Still, the characteristics of the produced water from Platform Elly do not align with what was observed from the sheen. At this time, we do not believe the sheen and the discharge are related.

Media inquiries can be directed to the USCG Public Affairs Detachment at padetla@uscg.mil. 

The investigation continues into the cause of the sheen.

UPDATE 1: Unified Command continues response to sheen offshore of Huntington Beach

March 8, 2024

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – The Unified Command continues its response Friday to an oil sheen located two and a half miles off Huntington Beach.

Approximately 85% of the sheen, roughly 85 gallons of product, was recovered before the deteriorating sea state caused operations to pause for the evening.

A Coast Guard helicopter will conduct an overflight at first light to assess if there is any sheen or oil product in the water. The Unified Command has also authorized an onshore recovery team to conduct shoreline assessments and cleanup.

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) has been activated, and crews are investigating reports of oiled wildlife. As of 2 p.m. on March 8, one oiled grebe has been recovered. Anyone observing oiled wildlife should not attempt to capture it. Instead, please report observations of oiled wildlife to the oiled wildlife hotline at 1-877-UCD-OWCN (1-877-823-6926). This is not an informational or volunteer hotline.

The unified command consists of the Coast Guard, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR), and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The investigation continues into the cause of the sheen.

Agencies Responding to Oil Sheen Offshore of Huntington Beach

March 8, 2024

SAN PEDRO, Calif — A Unified Command with representatives from the US Coast Guard (USCG), California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR), and Orange County Sheriff’s Department are responding to an oil sheen observed offshore of Huntington Beach.

Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach Command Center received a report at 6:50 p.m. Thursday of an unknown substance in the water 1.5 miles off the coast of Huntington Beach.  

Watchstanders at the Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command center notified Coast Guard Pollution Responders who began investigative work through the night with California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), Huntington Beach Lifeguards, and Orange County Sheriff’s Department.   

At 6:30 a.m., Coast Guard Pollution Responders got underway with a Newport Harbor Patrol boat to investigate. Additionally, a Coast Guard helicopter conducted an overflight in the area at sunrise. Upon investigation, an oil sheen was discovered that spanned 2.5 miles in length and 0.5 miles in width in position 33-40.100N 118-04.500W, roughly 2.5 nautical miles off Huntington Beach in vicinity of platforms Emmy and Eva.  

The Coast Guard is reaching out to all potential sources of the spill in the area but no source has been identified at this time. Additionally, the Coast Guard has hired an oil spill response organization to conduct offshore oil collection and is working to identify possible impacts to the shoreline and environmental protection strategies. At this time, no oiled wildlife has been observed. The public is asked not to approach impacted animals if observed and to call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-823-6926. This is not an informational or volunteer hotline.

For more information or updates, contact the Coast Guard Public Affairs Detachment at (310) 781-0619 or padetla@uscg.mil.