Cleanup nears completion, 2 months after pipeline break fouled beaches in California

The costly cleanup after an oil pipeline break fouled beaches near Santa Barbara, California, is almost finished.

Officials said Thursday that about 300 workers remain on the job that was pegged at 98 percent complete.

The May 19 spill occurred after a corroded section of onshore pipe ruptured, releasing up to 101,000 gallons of crude.

An estimated 21,000 gallons reached the water and goo washed up as far 100 miles away.

As of last month, cleanup costs had climbed to $92 million.

Most of the remaining work is being done in an area near the site where oil flowed into the ocean through a storm drain culvert.

Texas-based operator Plains All American Pipeline has faced criticism for how long it took to relay information to the federal government after the break.