Mystery Spill - Gulf of Mexico; Gulf of Mexico

Gulf of Mexico | 1997-Oct-27

Initial Notification: At 1000 on Saturday, October 25, 1997, the Assistant SSC, Todd A. Bridgeman was notified by MSU Galveston of the sighting of a slick of unknown origin in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 20 miles south of Galveston, Texas. Reports were received from two rigs on the High Island lease block. One report came from High Island 177 (position 29?11.0 N, 094?23.0 W) and the other from High Island 195 (position 29?10.34 N, 094?22.18 W). The reported slick was estimated to be two miles wide by ten miles long consisting of a "thick sheen" or "rainbow colored sheen and some dark areas" depending upon the reporting party. On-scene weather was winds from the SSW at 10-15 kts., seas of 4-6 feet, visibility of 5 miles and temperatures in the 70's. - - MSU Galveston requested initial trajectory analysis and resources at risk from the Assistant SSC while simultaneously launching a helicopter overflight to confirm the sightings.- - The initial assessment was that the slick was not an immediate threat to the coast and the present rough on-scene weather would facilitate dispersion of the slick, and that the passage of a front (expected in the following 12 hours) would cause the wind to shift around to the NNE, away from land further decreasing the threat. The helicopter overflight revealed a two mile long slick of rapidly dissipating sheen. Pending further developments the case was closed. USCG district 8.