Galveston Bay Pipeline Leak; Galveston Bay, TX

Galveston Bay, TX | 2000-Apr-20

Initial Notification: At 1320 hrs CDT, the NOAA SSC was notified by MSU Galveston of an apparent pipeline leak north of Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston Bay, TX. A USCG helicopter initially observed the leak at 29? 24.5' N Lat. and 94? 47' W Long. at approximately 1145 hrs CDT. A video tape and visual observations were passed to MSU Galveston. At the time of the initial observation, the release point was clearly observable as a bubbling whitish area suggesting that the pipeline was carrying mostly natural gas. Sheens and dark oil were also observed suggesting that condensate crude is being released as well as gas. Oil sheens were observed from the source to a distance greater than 1 mile. The volume of oil spilled, at present, may be only 20 bbl (a field estimate only). The USCG has requested weather and trajectory support from the NOAA Scientific Support Team. USCG district 8.