BP Pipeline Spill; Mississippi River Delta

Mississippi River Delta | 1998-Oct-01

Initial Notification: At 1200 CDT, 1 Oct. 1998, the NOAA D8 SSC (Henry) was notified of a pipeline spill which originated near the Mississippi River delta between lat. 28?-51.5'N, long. 88?-55.5'W and lat. 28?-51.2'N, long. 89?-02.5'W during the night of 30 Sept. The spilled oil was characterized as a light crude. The initial volume spilled was estimated at 850 bbl. Since the initial notification, the RP has increased this value by a factor of ten, 8500 bbl may have been lost. Dispersants were applied to a 4 mile long slick in the preapproval zone. Visual observations suggest the application was successful and dispersion was observed. A total of 3000 gallons were applied. A request to continue dispersant application, pending the results of the morning overflights, is expected. Jerry Galt is scheduled to accompany the morning SLAR flight from Corpus Christi, TX and brief MSO Morgan City. The SSC arrived on-scene for the evening tactical-operations meeting. Additional information to follow. USCG district 8.