Cleanup, Mitigation Operations Continue in Ventura

• Ninety percent of oil released in a 2008 incident, which accounts for the majority of oil released in Crimson-related incidents, was contained within secondary containment.
• An additional 735 barrels accounting for 9 percent of all reported releases resulted from damage to Crimson pipelines caused by third parties.
• The remaining incidents that have occurred in the company's history collectively amount to a total of 39 barrels released.

While the crew works to clean up the impacted area and restore the surrounding environment, the unified response team's first priority is the health and safety of the residents, as well as the nearly 100 responders in the field. Crimson, along with our partner agencies will continue to work until all cleanup operations are complete and the area is returned to its natural condition while working to minimize traffic impacts and noise in the community. Since this incident occurred, media outlets and environmental activists have reported and commented on the company's historic records. To date, data has been misinterpreted and taken out of context. A brief look at Crimson's history demonstrates the company's long history of reliable operations and commitment to the communities where Crimson operates.

"The rush of early reporting on the Grove incident didn't reflect important context, such as the fact that in the 2008 incident, which accounts for 90 percent of the reported oil released in Crimson's history, every drop of oil was captured by measures specifically engineered to contain a release within Crimson's property," said Crimson spokesperson Kendall Klingler.

"When taking a more detailed look at Crimson's operations, it's clear to see a track record of responsible conduct and commitment to the communities in which we operate."

When it comes to cleanup, mitigation and recovery efforts, Crimson spares no expense. The $5.8 million in "property damage" reported by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is an estimate of "the sum of all public and private costs reported in the 30-day incident report." The reported $5.8 million figure includes all investments related to cleanup, mitigation and recovery efforts, including personnel, equipment, food and lodging for the response team, and more. Crimson is willing to invest every dollar necessary to restore an impacted area to its natural condition.

It is also important to set the record straight regarding the volumes of oil reported to have been released by Crimson and put the numbers into meaningful context.  Of the total reported 7,453 barrels released in the last ten years the numbers are skewed by a 2008 incident when 6,679 barrels were released from a storage tank on an industrial property that Crimson had newly acquired. Every last ounce of oil that was released, however, was contained within the secondary containment built around the storage tank. Although no crude oil left the property, this incident was publicly reported as required by state and federal regulations, and it accounts for 90 percent of the barrels released in the company's history.

An additional 735 barrels accounting for an additional 9% of all reported releases resulted from damage to Crimson pipelines caused by third parties.  In September 2013, electrical arching from a third-party's misplaced grounding rod caused a release of crude oil from one of Crimson's pipelines. In December 2015, a third-party conducting a digging project struck a line operated by Crimson. Although the damages were caused by outside sources beyond the company's control, Crimson took responsibility, and quickly implemented the appropriate emergency response, cleanup, recovery and mitigation efforts in each instance. To help minimize third-party damage to pipelines around the country, Crimson works year-round to foster awareness of the 811 Dig Alert service and pipeline safety through both funding and education.

The remaining incidents that have occurred in the company's history collectively amount to a total 39 barrels released.  The total volume of oil transported by Crimson during that same time is nearly 442 million barrels. 

Crimson has a long history of reliable operations. Crimson's impeccable safety record is something to be praised – any other characterization of Crimson's successful history is simply fiction. Crimson remains committed to supporting the communities where the company operates and providing safe, reliable transportation solutions for customers throughout California.

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SOURCE Crimson Pipeline