- Home
- News Grid
- Local News
- Green Hawk
- Politics
- School Zone
- Youth Camps
- Nonprofits
- Missing Pets
- Multimedia
- Arts
- Movies
- Outdoors
- Sports
- News Releases
- Columnists
- Blogs
- Opinions
- Classifieds
- Advertise
- Donate
- Partners
Greka President Defends Company After Weekend Oil Spills
After about 1,600 gallons of oil and produced water leaked from Greka’s Bell Canyon lease onto the ground and into a nearby ravine over the weekend, company president Andrew DeVegvar pleaded Greka’s side Monday afternoon, calling the county’s subsequent stop-work order an “overreaction.”
Three incidents were reported on three consecutive days — Friday to Sunday — totaling about 1,600 gallons of oil from the company’s Palmer Road facility. The incidents prompted the county’s Fire Department Fire Prevention Division to issue a stop-work order “due to unsafe acts and conditions.”
“It was because a human being made a mistake,” he said. A more appropriate action would have been a partial stop-work order, he said, not one that takes the entire facility out of play.
Almost exactly a year ago, Greka came under fire for a series of spills and leaks at its facilities that released hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude and other hazardous fluids, resulting in state and federal intervention and inspiring lawmakers to crack down on the oil company.
Adding to Greka’s woes is the possibility that jobs may be lost if the company goes under because of the stop-work order. After several layoffs and pay cuts, Greka may have to lay off up to 200 more workers if the county’s order is not lifted soon. Complicating the process is the county furlough that has employees taking a mandatory two weeks off over the holidays.
Write to sfernandez@noozhawk.com.
Comments
Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules.
- No abusive, defamatory or libelous attacks. In plain English: No personal attacks.
- No vulgar or discriminatory language.
- If you do not follow these rules, don't be surprised if your comment is removed.
- Please use the Report Abuse button on offensive comments.
- Share what you know, ask about what you don't. Give us your eyewitness accounts, observations, background and history. Tell us what else you want to know about the story.
- Stay on the topic, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK, and forgive people their spelling errors.
Noozhawk's intent is not to limit the discussion of our stories but to elevate it. Thank you for your respectful participation. Click here for our complete Terms of Use.
Comments are moderated, and will not appear until they've been approved.
» on 12.30.08 @ 06:01 AM
I fail to see how “human error” is a valid excuse for an oil spill for this company. There have been too many incidents.
From my admittedly long-distance view it appears Greka is not investing enough in reliable physical plant nor does it appear to have qualified engineering staff supervising operations. Valves should not be failing. Pipes should not be open to the environment so “the wrong valve” can cause a pollution incident.
There is enough financial margin in oil and gas operation that there is no tolerable excuse for less than the highest standard for operating a facility like this.
I am distressed to generally read these issues are being handled by variou local fire officials with an occasional kick upstairs to the Supervisors. My suggestion is to have a fact finding group, mostly engineers, figure out what is going on here and advise the County.
There is nothing magic about oil processing operations. We should expect the highest standard of care from all invOlved
» on 12.30.08 @ 06:37 AM
I’d say NO ONE is being “over-reactive” Maybe the Co. is being a bit arrogant in making that statement.. I have lost count of Grecka’s negligence.. CLOSE IT DOWN..go over all sites,& equipment,maintain it on a regular basis..and THEN, and only then is the Co.ready to operate..This poor operation is probably due to $$$$:corner cutting to save a buck..but, hey,I’m not opinionated!!!
» on 12.30.08 @ 07:31 AM
What is it with these whiners??? The County’s response is entirely appropriate given their ongoing failures to run a responsible operation. If it weren’t for sympathy for the employees, I’d agree it’s time to shut them down. But then…maybe it’s the quality/qualifications of their employees that’s the problem….?
» on 12.30.08 @ 12:19 PM
The Greka company president is just representing some more clueless operator error with his whine, all as the County is ready to revoke all the Greka permits just as soon as a vote of the county board can be made.
» on 12.31.08 @ 02:23 AM
Unbelievably, the State of California leases an oil drilling island right offshore in the Pacific Ocean to Greka. The island operates at a LOSS to the State and there have been spills in the ocean from the island in the past. Furthermore, the bridge to the island is broken and the island is currently not producing. Something needs to be done about this.
» on 01.01.09 @ 08:30 AM
Was Mike Stoker not available to spin this instead?
» on 01.02.09 @ 08:18 AM
Was Mike Stoker not available to spin this instead?
More Local News »
House Poised to Vote on Historic Health-Care Bill Sunday
As Democrats scramble for last-minute votes, Capps touts legislation's reforms
Does Local Currency Make Dollars and Sense for Santa Barbara?
Economic hardships fuel questions but you may not know we've tried it here before
Phil Wyatt Builds High-Tech Company with Low-Key Approach
Wyatt Technology's founder and CEO serves as a steady guide for his staff in pinpointing a niche in laser-based instruments
Santa Barbara Airbus Picks Up and Moves to New Location
The company will have more legroom at its new home on Technology Way in Goleta
Residents Get Look at Master Plan for Santa Barbara
An open house kicks off a public-comment period designed to help shape the future of the city
Weather: Fair 62.0º
Search Noozhawk »
