Oil Spills from LLOG’s Subsea Pipeline in GoM

LLOG Exploration Offshore has reported an oil release from subsea infrastructure in 4,463 feet of water in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 40 miles southeast of Venice, La.

The company reported to Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on Friday that production from the field that flows through the subsea infrastructure is shut-in and the release of oil has ceased. Three light sheens were observed in the vicinity and reported through the National Response Center.

In addition, the Coast Guard conducted four flight on Saturday and reported that the previously observed sheens have dissipated.

LLOG informed that through the use of a remotely-operated vehicle, a fracture was observed in a jumper pipe leading from Mississippi Canyon Block 209, Well No. 1 to a manifold located on the seafloor. As a result of shutting in the well, the flow through the fracture in the pipe has ceased.

The company said that the volume of oil released is estimated to be between 7,950 to 9,350 barrels (or 333,900 and 392,700 gallons).

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.

The Coast Guard is coordinating with the BSEE and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to locate and respond to any oil that reaches the surface.

Initial trajectory models calculated by the responsible party and NOAA indicate that any surface oil is expected to move in a southwesterly direction and is not expected to impact the shoreline.