Greka Crude Spills into Calif. Stream

Up to 168 gallons of crude oil spilled from a Greka Oil and Gas facility into a seasonal stream east of Santa Maria, Calif.

Cleanup crews worked to sop up the goo.

Santa Barbara County Fire Department Capt. Eli Iskow says firefighters responded to the spill Monday morning after getting a call from a Greka employee.

Greka spokesman Robert Emmers says the oil leaked from a 4-inch pipe left over from a well shut down in 2005.

The crude flowed about 300 yards down the creek, which has a small stream of water.

Greka has been plagued by a string of spills and, in recent months, the county has issued stop-work orders at some of the firm’s facilities.