Local
Almost 400,000 gallons of oil spilled into Gulf of Mexico
The Coast Guard is responding to the report of a crude oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans said it received a report from the National Response Center at 1:30 p.m. Friday of a discharge from a damaged pipeline associated with a subsea well about 40 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana.
The pipeline, which is operated by LLOG Exploration, has been secured.
According to the Coast Guard, the volume of oil released is estimated to be between 333,900 and 392,700 gallons. Initial overflights identified three light sheens in the vicinity.
Two response vessels from Clean Gulf Associates and the Marine Spill Response Corporation are on scene. The Coast Guard and contract aircraft are continuing to conduct overflights of the area.
In 2010, The Deepwater Horizon oil spill leaked more than 3 million barrels into the Gulf of Mexico.
Jeff Clark: 228-896-2329, @thejeffclark