Drill Mud Spill; Berwick, Louisiana

Berwick, Louisiana | 1997-Feb-12

Initial Notification: At approximately 0240 on February 10, 1997, two fractionating (frac) tanks containing a total of 42,000 gallons (500 barrels each) of diesel-based drilling mud (diesel content approximately 50%) fell from a barge and sank along the right descending bank of the Atchafalaya River in Berwick, Louisiana, near Morgan City. The tanks fell off the barge RG 106 at the Baroid Dock, mile marker 116 and sank in approximately 25 feet of water. Denbury Management Inc. was the RP and initiated immediate cleanup actions. During initial salvage operations 90 barrels of mud/water were recovered from the first tank, 30 barrels were product; approximately 320 barrels were lost. The first tank was successfully raised from the bottom of the river on February 11, 1997. The second tank, which still contained the majority of its original product, remained on the bottom until it was pumped out and then recovered on February 14, 1997. USCG district 8. Keyword: none.