Shell Reports Subsea Oil Discharge in Gulf of Mexico
A crude oil spill occurred in the Gulf of Mexico from a Shell subsea well-head flow line, approximately 90 miles south of Timbalier Island, Louisiana, Thursday.
Shell reported that a two mile by thirteen mile sheen was observed in the area of its Glider field, a group of four subsea wells located in Green Canyon Block 248.
The production from these four wells flows through a subsea manifold to Shell’s Brutus platform located in 2,900 feet of water.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, an estimated 88,200 gallons was reportedly released from the pipeline.
Shell reported that production from all wells that flow to the Brutus platform have been shut-in. There are no injuries reported and no personnel have been evacuated. The total subsea release from the four wells is estimated to be 2,100 barrels of oil.
Marine Spill Response Corporation and Clean Gulf Associates have been contracted by Shell to begin clean up and containment operations.
BSEE will lead the incident investigation.
