The operator of a pipeline which ruptured and leaked oil polluting coastal regions of California has admitted responsibility for environmental pollution and is willing to pay USD 13m in compensation and fines.

Texas-based Amplify Energy will pay a fine of USD 7.1m as well as USD 5.8m to the authorities that organized the removal of oil slicks and wider clean-up efforts.

The oil spill occurred south of Los Angeles, polluting a 24 kilometer stretch of the coast between Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach, favored spots for surfers and dolphin habitats.

The leak, which occurred in October 2021, amounted to 100,000 liters of crude.

”This oil spill affected numerous people, businesses and organizations who use the Southern California coastal waters,” says acting US Attorney for the Central District of California Stephanie Christensen.

The environmental disaster set off a debate on the presence of oil platforms only a few kilometers off from the heavily populated coast region. A total of 23 oil and gas platforms are located off the coast.

Underwater inspections showed that a large segment of the oil pipeline had been displaced while also revealing a rupture in the pipe.

Last year, investigators said they suspected that the damages could have been caused by an anchor, given that many cargo vessels often wait in the area to berth in the major port cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Chief Executive Officer of Amplify Energy Martyn Willsher says that the company has worked together with authorities to solve the issue as soon as the oil spill was discovered.

Amplify has further agreed to install a new system which can detect leaks. The company will additionally increase the number of inspections of the oil pipeline.

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