Response Continues to Oil Spill off Louisiana

The joint effort between the U.S. Coast Guard and Shell continues in response to an oil discharge from a segment of flow line at the Glider Field located approximately 90 miles south of Timbalier Island, La., that occurred at approximately 11 a.m., Thursday.

It is estimated that 88,200 gallons of crude oil has been discharged. Shell has shut-in production at the Glider Field.

Five on-water recovery vessels have been mobilized and are searching for oil that can be safely recovered via skimming, which the Coast Guard and Shell have determined to be the safest and most effective oil recovery option at this time. So far more than 51,000 gallons of oily-water mixture has been recovered.

Shell has also contracted air resources to provide aerial assessment of the affected area. The reported trajectory is in a westerly direction with no expected shoreline impact at this time. No impacts to wildlife have been reported.

More than 130 personnel from the Coast Guard and Shell have mobilized as part of the unified response effort.

The Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinators Office and the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security have been notified and remain engaged.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) remains involved and is leading an investigation to determine the cause of the release.