As we have been suggesting for several days, the initial spill estimate was too conservative (high) and assumed near total losses from the pipeline. The Coast Guard has now established a “minimum” estimate which is identical to the spill volume cited in footnote 2 of the PHMSA Order. This estimate was presumably determined after a review of meter data.
Coast Guard Capt. Rebecca Ore said at a media briefing that officials “have assessed and verified pipeline data, and made a determination that the minimum amount of crude oil released from that pipeline is 588 barrels of oil,” which equals about 24,696 gallons.
OC Register
The Coast Guard is not backing off the original estimate entirely hedging that “it’s still possible the leak is of roughly the size that’s been reported.” Meanwhile, the mayor of Huntington Beach has expressed some optimism:
Asked whether the lower estimate of oil released could mean beaches reopen sooner, Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr said she was “cautiously optimistic that it will be sooner than later.”
OC Register
Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 
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