- Home
- News Grid
- Local News
- Green Hawk
- Business
- Politics
- School Zone
- 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 as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.
» on 12.30.08 @ 05:01 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
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 12.30.08 @ 05:37 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!!!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 12.30.08 @ 06:31 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….?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 12.30.08 @ 11:19 AM
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.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 12.31.08 @ 01:23 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.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 01.01.09 @ 07:30 AM
Was Mike Stoker not available to spin this instead?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 01.02.09 @ 07:18 AM
Was Mike Stoker not available to spin this instead?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
More Local News »
Goleta Seeks Public Input on Law Enforcement Services
Participants are needed for two focus groups scheduled for Feb. 15
Goleta Woman Accused of Having Sex with Teen Boy
Sheriff's Department says victim recently came forward about 2008 relationship
Goleta Police Warn Public About Recent Home Burglaries
Witnesses report seeing a suspect going door to door in the neighborhood around Scripps Crescent Street
Approval from Santa Barbara County Supervisors the Last Step for Venoco’s New Pipeline
The board will consider an ordinance allowing the company to begin transporting oil via a pipeline that has already been built, instead of by barge
Pacific Storm Expected to Bring Rain, Wind Back to Santa Barbara County on Tuesday
Weather officials say South Coast could receive up to 1½ inches of rain with wind gusting to 30 mph
Weather: Fair 66.0º
Search Noozhawk »
