Fast Cleanup Praised : Mobil Faces $85,000 Fine Over 2 Oil Spills

Mobil Oil Co. has tentatively agreed to pay an $85,000 fine stemming from the rupture of a pipeline that spilled more than 132,000 gallons of crude oil last year in Encino and Sherman Oaks, California Regional Water Quality Control Board officials said Tuesday.

A board study found that Mobil had gained “a significant monetary benefit” by not monitoring corrosion of the Torrance-to-Bakersfield underground pipeline before the September spills. Corrosion of the 12-inch pipeline had caused three ruptures in the previous two years.

“We feel that had Mobil taken some preventive action in previous years, perhaps this spill would not have occurred,” said board executive officer Robert Ghirelli. “That was certainly a factor in coming up with the dollar amount.”

Four blocks of Ventura Boulevard were closed by the 132,000-gallon leak Sept. 10. The street was closed for nearly two days as a 6-inch-deep river of oil spread into an adjacent residential neighborhood, closing freeway on-ramps and forcing some businesses to close.

About 69,000 gallons of oil leaked into the Hyperion and Los Angeles-Glendale sewage treatment plants. More oil traveled through storm drains into the Los Angeles River, killing 200 fish and about 30 mallards.

The pipeline ruptured a second time Sept. 27 as Mobil technicians were putting it through a high-pressure water test for weak spots. More than 125,000 gallons of water and 500 gallons of oil were discharged onto streets and driveways near Sherman Oaks Avenue and Sutton Street.

Monitoring Revised

The board’s study said the September spills may have been less severe had Mobil installed more check valves along the route. Since the spills, the study added, Mobil has revised its monitoring procedures and has begun to replace older sections of pipeline. The Sept. 10 rupture occurred in an 18-year-old section of pipeline.

Ghirelli said the staff recommended setting Mobil’s fine at $85,000 instead of the maximum $2.65 million allowed by law because of the company’s quick response and cleanup of the spill. Mobil spent about $3 million on the cleanup, he said.

Mobil spokesman Jim Carbonetti confirmed that the company had agreed to pay the $85,000 fine if the board made minor word changes in the report, but offered no further comment.

The board may decide to increase or decrease the fine at a Monday hearing on the spills, Ghirelli said.