Shell underground oil pipeline spills thousands of gallons in California

TRACY, CA -- Hazardous materials crews are cleaning up as many as 21,000 gallons of oil after a pipeline rupture in Northern California.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Shell Pipeline Co. officials say a response team is clearing contaminated soil and helping local and state officials monitor local air, water and ground conditions.

Shell reported the leak after noticing that a line lost pressure Friday. The underground pipeline near Tracy was leaking crude oil into the soil but not near any waterways.

San Joaquin County officials say the oil was visible in a 250-by-40-foot section on the ground.

Shell says there is no timeline for when oil flow will be turned back on.