The U.S. Coast Guard Sector New Olreans is responding to an 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 and resulted in a two mile by eight mile heavy sheen. It is believed that the spill occurred 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 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.
An investigation into the exact cause of the spill is underway.