Abandoned Facility; Bayou Bernard, Louisiana

Bayou Bernard, Louisiana | 1999-Feb-17

Initial Notification: NOAA was notified of this incident on February 17, 1999, by MSO Morgan City who requested help with the assessment of the spill. The area was extremely low energy (almost zero) so the oil was easily recovered by the skimmers. By the evening of February 19, 1999, approximately 500 barrels of the estimated 600 barrels spilled had been recovered. Due to the season and low energy of the environment, impacts from this release were low. By 1330 February 22, 1999, 720 barrels were recovered exceeding the initial estimate of 600 barrels. Mechanical recovery of the oil continued. Although the well was abandoned, it continued to produce oil filling both holding tanks. A pipe burst causing the tanks and the well to drain into an adjacent ditch that led to the bayou. The EPA was investigating options to fully dismantle and cap the well. USCG district 8. Keyword: berm, boom, skimmers.