Gulf of Mexico Spill Not Likely to Reach Shore

Pollution from a crude oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is unlikely to result in damage to the coastline.

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans was alerted to the spill on Friday which was caused by a damaged pipeline associated with a subsea well approximately 40 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana. The pipeline, which is operated by LLOG Exploration, has since been secured.

LLOG Exploration reported that the volume of oil released was between 333,900 and 392,700 gallons.  Initial overflights identified three light sheens in the vicinity, but these had disappeared on Saturday.

Two response vessels from Clean Gulf Associates and the Marine Spill Response Corporation are on scene. Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) trajectory models indicate that any surface oil is expected to move in a southwesterly direction and is not expected to impact the shoreline. They are continuing to evaluate the models to identify the potential location of any surface oil or subsea plumes.