The U.S. Coast Guard is continuing its search for the source of an oil leak from an underwater pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. The leak, estimated to have released over a million gallons of crude oil, prompted the closure of the 67-mile long pipeline by Main Pass Oil Gathering Co (MPOG) last Thursday. The Coast Guard reported that oil recovery efforts were ongoing, with overflight teams observing oil moving southwest away from the Louisiana shore. Underwater devices are being used to survey the pipeline in order to locate the source of the leak. Initial engineering estimates suggest that approximately 1.1 million gallons of oil, equivalent to 26,190 barrels, have been discharged. So far, there have been no injuries or impacts on the shoreline, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the leak. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has activated the National Response Team, a group of 15 federal entities responsible for coordinating the response to oil pollution incidents. Third Coast Infrastructure, the owner of MPOG, declined to comment and directed inquiries to the Coast Guard.
US Coast Guard Launches Investigation to Locate Origin of Massive 1.1 Million Gallons of Crude Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico
