Category Archives: Press Releases

Media Update 4: Recovered Oil Line Leak

Media Update #4

RICHMOND, Calif., February 23, 2021 — A Unified Command has concluded cleanup and recovery efforts in the Richmond area as shoreline cleanup and assessment teams did not detect any sheen on the water or shoreline over the weekend, marking 48 hours of no identified sheen.

The Unified Command was comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response, Contra Costa Health Services, and Chevron.

The Command had led response efforts to a Feb. 9, 2021 pipeline discharge at the Chevron Richmond Refinery’s Long Wharf. The incident remains under investigation, but preliminary results found that an estimated 500 to 750 gallons of diesel/water flush mix was discharged from a quarter-inch hole in a pipe used to return a variety of excess oils and products to the refinery for reprocessing.

The Command had agreed to end response efforts once no sheen had been observed for 48 hours. Although crews had not observed sheen on open waters of the San Francisco Bay since Feb. 12, there were trace amounts of sheen observed last week in standing water along the rocky shoreline adjacent to the wharf.

No impacted wildlife were observed as result of this response. Long term environmental impacts are not expected from the incident, but as a precaution CDFW scientists took samples of water, sediment and mussels in the area. The results are pending in a laboratory.

For publicly available information on the response, please visit https://recoveredoillineleak.com/.

Media Update 3: Recovered Oil Line Leak Response

Media Update #3

RICHMOND, Calif., February 12, 2021 — Cleanup and recovery efforts neared completion today in the Richmond area as shoreline assessment teams and aerial drones monitored land and water for residue from Tuesday’s leak at the Chevron Long Wharf.

This morning’s assessment, which included unmanned aerial surveillance flights, did not detect any sheen on the bay. The only cleanup work still underway is along the waterfront next to the wharf. Keller Beach and public access points on Western Drive have reopened. Meanwhile, protective booms deployed near the Eel Grass Beds and the south side of Brooks Island remain in place as a precaution.

Remedial efforts will transition in the coming days to cleanup as needed if any additional recoverable product is found. Operations at the wharf have resumed. The pipe that was the source of Tuesday’s leak of 12-18 barrels (approximately 500-750 gallons) of a diesel-water mix has been isolated and is not operating.

“This week’s spill response was a clear demonstration of the importance of our valuable port partnerships and continuous training making sure we were all ready to respond to the call as quickly and safely as possible.”  said Senior Chief Jeremy Thomas, Coast Guard Federal Incident Commander.

“The rapid response to this incident, along with the comprehensive, proactive efforts taken to protect our valuable natural resources, has once again shown California to be a worldwide leader in oil spill response,” said Lt. Kyle Hiatt with CDFW-OSPR.

“I thank all the crews who responded safely and expertly to bring this spill quickly under control and clean it up,” said Chevron Fire Chief Greg Bosworth. “We also thank our neighbors for their patience and support. We will learn from our investigation of this incident and continue to focus on safe and reliable operations.”

Contra Costa Health Services said, “As the Local Government On Scene Coordinator, Contra Costa Health Services wishes to thank all parties responding to this incident for their high-level of collaboration to minimize the impact to the surrounding community, marine habitat and natural resources.”

Air monitoring by authorities has not detected any levels that would result in health impacts or injuries. There are currently no public health orders from Contra Costa County pertaining to this incident. For additional questions or concerns regarding public health, please check the County Health Alerts at https://cchealth.org.

There has been no impact on wildlife as a result of this incident. The Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) reported Thursday that they were demobilizing. If anyone encounters potentially affected wildlife, they should stay away from the animal and report the sighting to the OWCN at 1-877-UCD-OWCN (1-877-823-6926).

The Unified Command responding to the spill is comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response, Contra Costa Health Services, and Chevron.

For publicly available information on the response including Frequently Asked Questions, please visit https://recoveredoillineleak.com/.

NOTE: Updated 2/16/2021 at 1518 hours to correct the quote provided by Coast Guard Federal Incident Commander.

Media Update 2: Recovered Oil Line Leak Response

Media Update #2

RICHMOND, Calif., February 10, 2021 — Clean-up and recovery efforts continued today in the Richmond area after Tuesday’s leak at the Chevron Long Wharf, according to the Unified Command (UC) responding to the incident. The UC is comprised of Chevron, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response, Contra Costa Health Services, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Lab analysis and technical review determined that approximately 12-18 barrels (500-750 gallons) of a low-sulfur diesel fuel and flush water mix was released.  Clean up and recovery efforts are ongoing, including the deployment and recovery of absorbent booms used to capture the diesel from the water.

RECOVERY

At 0700 today, Coast Guard helicopter crew and incident responders conducted the first overflight. Responders also conducted a shoreline assessment, on foot and by drone, which revealed no visible impacts on wildlife.

A patchy sheen from Point Molate to Brooks Island was observed during the overflight, and a total of 3500’ of boom was deployed in the Richmond Eel Grass Beds north of the incident and 2500’ at Brooks Island south of the incident. Boom is also deployed in additional areas to proactively protect sensitive areas. At this time, the only shoreline area known to have been affected is immediately adjacent to the Chevron wharf.

As a precaution, two public access sites on Western Drive and Keller Beach remain closed to allow the on-water response crews to focus on their work.

PUBLIC HEALTH

The Unified Command continues to evaluate any potential public health issues related to the incident. Air monitoring by authorities has not detected any levels that would result in health impacts or injuries. The public health order issued by Contra Costa County Health was rescinded at 9 p.m. February 9.

For additional questions or concerns regarding public health, please check the County Health Alerts at https://cchealth.org.

An hourly VHF channel 16 broadcast is advising mariners to stay away from the impacted area while clean-up operations are conducted.

ENVIRONMENT

Sheens remain visible in some areas along the southeast side of Point Richmond. Boom was preventatively placed in sensitive areas and there has been no reported impact in those areas.

There are no oiled animals reported. Should the public encounter potentially affected wildlife, please stay away from the animal and report the sighting to the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-UCD-OWCN (1-877-823-6926).

VOLUNTEERS

Public volunteers are not currently needed. For updates, call the Volunteer Hotline at 800-228-4544.

For publicly available information on the response, please visit https://recoveredoillineleak.com/.

Media Update 1: Recovered Oil Line Leak Response

Media Update #1

RICHMOND, Calif., February 10, 2021 — A Unified Command (UC) consisting of federal, state and local agencies, including Chevron, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response, Contra Costa Health Services, and the U.S. Coast Guard continues to address the incident.

At 7 a.m. on February 10, a Coast Guard helicopter crew and pollution responders conducted a first light over flight. The report indicated sheening from Point Molate to Brooks Island with the impact centered near Keller Beach. Response teams were deployed to this area for further shoreline assessment.

Two public access sites on Western Drive and Keller Beach are closed at this time to protect the public and allow the response crews to focus on their work.

Efforts are still underway to determine the official amount of product and composition discharged.

PUBLIC HEALTH

The Unified Command is actively monitoring the situation to evaluate any potential public health issues related to the incident. The public health order issued by Contra Costa County Health was rescinded at 9 p.m. February 9.

For additional questions or concerns regarding public health, please check the County Health Alerts at https://cchealth.org

An hourly VHF channel 16 broadcast is advising Mariners to maintain distance from the impacted area while clean-up operations continue.

ENVIRONMENT

Sheening along the southeast side of Point Richmond has been reported and response teams will be dispatched to minimize further impacts. Approximately 1200’ of containment boom and 600’ of deflection boom have been deployed. Additional boom is being placed preventatively in sensitive areas and there has been no reported impact in those areas.

While no oiled animals have been reported at this time, the public should not approach potentially oiled wildlife encounters and instead report sightings to the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-UCD-OWCN (1-800-823-6926).

VOLUNTEERS

Public volunteers are not currently needed.  For updated volunteer information, a Volunteer Hotline has been established at 800-228-4544.

Response to Richmond Incident

RICHMOND, Calif., February 9, 2021 — A Unified Command (UC) consisting of federal, state and local agencies, including Chevron, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response, Contra Costa Health Services, and the U.S. Coast Guard is managing spill response.

At approximately 3 p.m. today, the Richmond Refinery observed a sheen on the water near the Richmond Refinery wharf. Chevron immediately initiated its Coast Guard approved facility response plan, began working to isolate and contain the release, and notified all applicable agencies.

A pipeline near the wharf was shut down and the apparent source of the leak has been secured. The line in question is used to transport a variety of oil and products that are returned to the refinery for processing.

PUBLIC HEALTH

The Unified Command is actively monitoring the situation to evaluate any potential public health issues related to the incident. An hourly VHF channel 16 broadcast is advising Mariners to maintain distance while clean-up operations continue.

ENVIRONMENT

Sheening along the southeast of Point Richmond has been reported and response teams will be dispatched to minimize further impacts. 2,100 feet of containment boom has been deployed around the spill site. Three oil skimmers are running through the night to recover product out of the water. Response efforts will continue in the morning, after completion of the first light overflight.

While no oiled animals have been reported at this time, the public should report any oiled wildlife encounters or sightings to the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-UCD-OWCN (1-800-823-6926).