Spills ≥ 50 Barrels (2,100 gallons) – 1970

January 7, 1970 - Humble Oil Co.

Remarks: Tank and low pressure separator overflowed. Response: all platforms were shut in.

Remarks: Fire of unknown origin in the production area resulted in loss of control of 12 wells which fed the fire. Response: 3 relief wells drilled, 2 wells were killed by relief wells; 6 wells bridged; 4 wells were killed by well-control. The event ended 3/31/1970.  Lost platform. Minor amounts of oil on beaches. The spill volume was estimated to be 30,000 bbl. In 1975, an estimate of  65,000 bbl was published by Clayton D. McAuliffe (of Chevron Oil Field Research Company) et al  in "Chevron Main Pass Block 41 Oil Spill: Chemical and Biological Investigations" in the "1975 Conference on Prevention and Control of Oil Pollution, March 25-27" Proceedings.

February 28, 1970 - Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast I

Remarks: Open-ended valve activated by shore station.

May 28, 1970 (2 days) - Chambers & Kennedy Petroleum, Inc.

Remarks: Explosion and fire; caused by welding on a pipeline between two tanks partially filled with oil. Nine (9) fatalities. Fifty (50) bbl of oil on Galveston Beach. Cleaned up with no lasting environmental damage.

May 31, 1970 - Shell Offshore, Inc.

Remarks: Submerged pipeline leaked, cause unknown. Response: pipeline shut in.

October 27, 1970 (2 days) - Chevron Oil Company

Remarks: Malfunction of shipping pump. Response: the wells were shut in.

December 1, 1970 (138 days) - Shell Offshore, Inc.

Remarks: Blowout, gas, explosion, fire; during wireline work on well. Response: 10 relief wells drilled. 4 fatalities; 36 injuries; lost top of platform and 2 drilling rigs; minor amounts of oil on beaches. $25 million in damage.