Coast Guard Responds to Oil Spill in Bayou Dupont

Crews are working to seal a leaking wellhead off the Louisana coast.

Coast Guard sector New Orleans, in coordination with Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, is overseeing cleanup operations to remove crude oil from Bayou Dupont after a pipeline leak over the weekend.

USCG officials say a pipeline leak from a platform owned by Houston-based Cedyco Corp. was reported on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. from Plaquemine’s Parish operator. Oil was spotted in Bayou Dupont and north Barataria Bay. Upon USCG investigation of the leak, a second, two-inch flow was discovered in the line attached to the wellhead.

The Coast Guard, under authority of the Water Pollution Control Act, issued an administrative order to Cedyco to secure the source of the leak and conduct cleanup operations. The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund has been opened to fund any federal clean-up operations.

Oil Mop is leading the cleanup operation with the Coast Guard’s oversight. The leak from the pipeline has been fixed and the crews have reduced the flow from the well head and are continuing to work to fully seal it.

Three thousand feet of containment boom has been deployed to contain the oil and minimize impact to the environment. There are also three skimmers on scene performing cleanup operations.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries is on hand to ensure that wildlife is not impacted by this spill. There are no reports of harm to wildlife.