GOLETA, Calif. – Preparedness analysts from BSEE’s Oil Spill Preparedness Division recently conducted an unannounced spill drill of ExxonMobil Corporation on September 24 at its Las Flores Canyon Facility. The one-day exercise simulated an oil spill from an offshore pipeline. These exercises test an operator’s response to an incident using its oil spill response plan.
As part of the exercise, ExxonMobil was required to respond to a simulated pipeline leak. During an exercise an operator demonstrates successful notifications and implements other components included in its plan. Other federal, state, and local government agencies assisted in the planning and also participated in the exercise. These agencies included the U.S. Coast Guard, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response, and the Santa Barbara Office of Emergency Management.
Government Initiated Unannounced Exercises are designed to give BSEE the opportunity to evaluate, on a no-notice basis, an operator's access to necessary resources and test the viability of their oil spill response plans.
