NEW ORLEANS—Efforts are underway by federal officials to address the aftermath of an old oil well in southeastern Louisiana that unleashed crude oil and natural gas for over a week. Near Garden Island Bay in Plaquemines Parish, situated at the Mississippi River Delta Basin’s boundary, the U.S. Coast Guard reported the recovery of approximately 79,000 gallons of an “oily water mixture” as of Monday. This area is still grappling with the repercussions from the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster that occurred 15 years ago.
U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Greg Callaghan, overseeing the federal response, emphasized that although managing the discharge represents a critical step, it is merely the onset of a comprehensive cleanup mission. In an emailed statement, Callaghan asserted the determination of the Unified Command to commit to a thorough cleanup and maintain a presence on-site as necessary to safeguard the community and environment by ensuring the oil’s removal.
Authorities have deployed more than 20,000 feet of containment booms to control the situation, although the root cause of the leak remains under investigation. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the successful securing of the well responsible for the spill, owned by Spectrum OpCo, LLC, and while oil discharge amounts are not yet fully determined.
Spectrum OpCo expressed regret over the incident and its potential consequences for local communities. The company has promised full engagement and unwavering commitment to the cleanup process.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is offering on-site scientific aid, which includes monitoring the spill’s progression and pinpointing natural resources at risk. To date, only one bird tainted with oil has been reported by federal sources.
Plaquemines Parish is currently involved in 20 lawsuits against oil and gas firms for allegedly neglecting infrastructure and the surrounding coastal wetlands. Recently, a jury ruled that Chevron must compensate the parish over $740 million due to damages.
Louisiana U.S. Rep. Troy Carter remarked on the urgency this spill highlights, particularly the dangers linked to slashing federal workforce numbers at agencies like NOAA, which have the expertise in managing oil spills. Carter stressed the obligation to protect Louisiana’s coastline for the sake of current communities, the environment, and future generations.