Facebook to Resume Drilling on Oregon Coast in January

By KXL-FM
August 18, 2020

Tillamook County, Ore. – Fm News 101 KXL is following this developing story and bringing you the latest updates. We have a new statement from Facebook this afternoon clarifying their side of this story. In a statement to KXL Facebook says during construction of the Jupiter Submarine Cable at Tierra Del Mar back in April, a drill broke. The drilling was performed by a company they hired with experience drilling along the Oregon coast, using proven techniques. They did an environmental assessment and concluded that instead of trying to get 1,100 feet of pipe out, that was stuck 50 feet below the seafloor, it was better to leave things in place and no negative environment impact would result – according to Facebook. They added in order to respect Tillamook county’s desire for a short construction window, they intend to complete the project next year between January and April 2021. They are also following Oregon state’s guidance on rules and regulations.

Here is the full statement from Facebook:

I understand that you had a question in regard to our Oregon efforts, please feel free to use the following statement on the matter, apologies we do not have anyone at this time to speak on the air or record the statement:

“During the construction of the 6 inch cable bore pipe for the Jupiter submarine cable at Tierra Del Mar in April, a horizontal drill broke. The drilling was performed by Subcom, a company with experience drilling along the Oregon coast, using proven techniques. An environmental assessment determined that – instead of attempting to retrieve 1100 feet of 6 inch bore pipe resting 50 feet under the seafloor – it was better to leave things in place and no negative environmental impact would result. To respect Tillamook County’s desire for a short construction window, we intend to complete the work between January and April, 2021. We are in communication with all the relevant government agencies and will continue to follow their guidance.” – a Facebook Company spokesperson