27 August 2014 – A unit of US supermajor ExxonMobil has agreed to a pay a $1.4 million fine for a 2012 oil spill in Louisiana, the US Department of Justice said.
The fine is for an alleged violation of the Clean Water Act stemming from the spill of at least 2800 barrels from the North Line near Torbert, Louisiana.
The 22-inch-diameter pipeline ruptured in late April 2012, about 20 miles west of Baton Rouge. Oil spilled into the surrounding area and flowed into an unnamed tributary connected to Bayou Cholpe.
“Oil spills into our nation’s waters endanger public health and the environment and warrant concerted enforcement efforts,” said Sam Hirsch, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s environment and natural resources division.
The $1.4 million penalty is in addition to the costs incurred by ExxonMobil to respond to the oil spill and to replace the segment of ruptured pipeline.
ExxonMobil confirmed it has entered a consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency to resolve the claims. The settlement avoids protracted litigation, the company said.
*Luke Johnson – Upstreamonline