Coast Guard provides update on oil and gas mixture release near Garden Island Bay

PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. (WGNO) — The U.S. Coast Guard has provided an update on an oil and gas mixture release near Garden Island Bay.

On April 27, the Coast Guard reported that an oil and gas mixture was released in a marsh environment near a Garden Island Bay production facility’s well.

Coast Guard officials said a Unified Command was formed with Spectrum OpCo, LLC, and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office to respond to the release.

The Coast Guard later announced that federal pollution experts have become a part of the response to allow “the continued mobilization of resources necessary to secure the source of discharge and mitigate environmental threats.”

On Friday, May 2, Coast Guard officials said more than 165 responders are assisting, and skimmers and boom deployment have continued. Additionally, the 740 bales of absorbent boom have been deployed.

According to the Coast Guard, about 50,148 gallons of oily water have been recovered. It is still unknown how much oil has been discharged. Well-capping experts are on the scene, but the leak is still considered “uncontrolled.”

Coast Guard officials said one oiled bird was observed and has not been captured. They said aerial surveys are also continuing in the area, with no immediate concerns identified as of Friday.

The cause of the release remains under investigation.

Latest Posts