DATE: July 29, 2007 15:57:55 CST
Venice, LA- The U.S. Coast Guard Sector New Olreans is responding toan oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico from a well head located
approximately 60 miles south of Venice, Louisiana.
The spill of crude oil was discovered around 8:00 a.m this morning and
resulted in a two mile by eight mile heavy sheen. It is believed that
the spill occured when an unidentified vessel struck a discharge
pipeline coming from the well owned by Boise de Arc of Houston, TX. The
source of the spill was secured at 12:45 p.m. and it is believed that no
additional oil is being discharged.
Clean up efforts continue. The Coast Guard sector New Orleans, along
with O'Briens Oil Pollution Services, Inc., and Clean Gulf Associates,
acting on behalf of Boise de Arc, are working to mitigate environmental
impacts and prevent the oil from reaching shore. As of 3 p.m. today the
spill was located approximately 8 miles from the east bank of
Plaquemines Parish.
An investigation into the exact cause of the spill is underway.
For more information please contact Lt. Cdr. Cheri' Ben-Iesau, Senior
Investigating officer, Sector New Orleans at 504-810-3887.
printer friendly