15-year La. oil leak being contained

A nearly 15-year-long oil leak, 11 miles south of the Louisiana coastline, is finally being contained, according to the Coast Guard’s Capt. Kristi Luttrell, federal on-scene coordinator. More than 30,000 gallons of oil have been recently captured, from the 2004 Taylor Energy platform and wells leak site, and transported ashore. Taylor Energy is responsible for the spill when Hurricane Ivan triggered an underwater mudslide that toppled a platform and damaged 25 connected wells. A 2018 report based on an independent analysis of satellite imagery concluded the leak is in the magnitude of up to 697 barrels per day, far exceeding earlier estimates. Taylor Energy disputed the findings. After that report, the CG ordered the company to contain the spill under the Clean Water Act. The CG hired a private contractor out of Belle Chasse, La., to contain the leak. The containment device is now fully functioning. “After monitoring the system for several weeks we have determined that the system is meeting federal containment standards,” Capt. Luttrell told NOLA.com May 16. (Source: NOLA.com 05/16/19)