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A Small Company Caused the Big Spill

Floating barriers known as booms are set up to try to stop further oil incursion into the Talbert Marsh.
Floating barriers known as booms are set up to try to stop further oil incursion into the Talbert Marsh. Photo: Ringo H.W. Chiu (AP)

The rig connected to the faulty pipeline was operated by Beta Offshore, a subsidiary of Houston-based Amplify Energy. Officials said that they were investigating whether or not a ship anchor striking the pipeline some 80 to 100 feet (24 to 31 meters) underwater was responsible for the breach.

The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that Amplify has a history of regulatory issues and bankruptcy troubles. Beta Offshore alone had 125 noncompliance violations on record issued by federal inspectors. Shares of Amplify had dropped by nearly half Monday.

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