Los Angeles---An oil pipeline ruptured Tuesday dumping oil into the Pacific Ocean near Santa Barbara, California, the US Coast Guard said.
The pipeline runs along a coastal highway, and the leak sullied waters at a nearby beach, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Andrea Anderson.
The leak -- which began around midday --- affected a pipeline operated by Plains All America Pipeline, which was able to stop the flow of oil, the company said.
It said the oil reached the ocean through a drain which has now been blocked off, and "no additional oil is reaching the water."
Plains All America Pipeline said it does not know how much oil leaked.
"Plains deeply regrets this release has occurred and is making every effort to limit its environmental impact," the company said in an email.
Crews from state and federal emergency responders and oil companies were on the scene to begin the cleanup.
The spill was estimated at 21,000 gallons (80,000 liters) of oil, local media reported.
AFP
