Greka Spill at Union Sugar Lease

Santa Barbara County has issued a stop-work order the Greka Union Sugar Lease Tank Battery in Santa Maria after the facility was the scene of yet another Greka oil spill on Thursday afternoon. According to a Fire Department press release, the stop-work order took effect 5 p.m. Friday and will prohibit the importation of well production liquids as well as require Greka to secure the facility.

Greka estimates that over 1.500 barrels (63,000 gallons) of toxic produced water and five barrels (210 gallons) of crude oil were spilled when a mechanical failure in a pump caused damage to one of the tanks. The spill was relegated to the secondary containment area of the tank battery and no further damage was reported. The Fire Department responded with a Hazardous Materials Specialist and a vacuum truck was employed to clean up the spill.