Bruce Reitherman, Santa Barbara County's onsite environmental coordinator for the county's Integrated EQAP for Oil and Gas Projects, photographed the excavation and removal of a damaged section of pipe that ruptured and spilled 101,000 gallons of oil at Refugio State Beach. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
The damaged pipe was removed from the trench and taken to a covered area for inspection by personnel from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
The location of the rupture on the pipe was inspected and photographed by Plains All American and various agencies. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
The rupture appears to be about eight inches long. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
Two more sections of pipe were also cut and removed from the trench. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
All three sections of pipe were moved to the area next to the first piece of damaged pipe. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
(credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
The damaged pipe section was packed up to be delivered to a third-party FEMSA-approved analytical facility in Ohio. Department of Fish and Wildlife staff will accompany the shipment. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
A large amount of oil-soaked dirt and debris remained in the bottom of the trench. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
Excavation of the trench continued in an attempt to remove all contaminated material. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
Even with the continued excavation, traces of contamination are visible along the sidewalls of the trench. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
Oil contamination on the sidewall of the trench. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
Officials plan to replace the sections of removed pipe with new pipe as soon as possible to allow purging of this entire leg of the pipeline, and reestablish integrity to the system to allow restart of operations. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
Two more sites were also inspected, both within 100 yards of each other in the Brinkman Ranch, about 3.6 miles east of Gaviota Pass. The two other sections of pipe showed enough signs of corrosion to require the temporary installation of a clamp. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
A clamp will provide a temporary repair until the line can be purged and more permanent repairs can be made. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
On the bluff above the location where oil spilled under U.S. 101 and into the sea, crews worked to remove contaminated dirt and debris from the culvert under the Union-Pacific railroad tracks.
(credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
(credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
Workers tried to dislodge and suck material from the culvert using hand tools and a vacuum truck. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
Workers were unable to move the contaminated dirt and debris. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
Damaged Pipe Removed From Oil Pipeline In Santa Barbara County
The culvert remains clogged. (credit: Bruce Reitherman/Santa Barbara County)
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