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NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard continues to investigate the cause of an oil spill east of Larose, Louisiana where a damaged well continues to discharge oil into Bayou Perot.
The operator of the well, ExPert Oil & Gas, LLC of Covington, La., is offering a $35,000 reward for specific information resulting in the positive and verified identification (as determined by the operator) of the person or persons responsible for damaging the wellhead. Anyone with information can call the Coast Guard at 504-589-4203 x 382. Caller identity will be protected.
The Coast Guard, in conjunction with Expert Oil & Gas, continues to work with local, state, and federal agencies to respond to the spill. Crews from Coast Guard Sector New Orleans, and Marine Safety Units Morgan City, La., and Houma, La., are responding to the spill which was discovered after midnight on Saturday near mile marker 20 of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The well, which was properly marked with appropriate navigational aids, was to produce sweet medium crude oil.
“ExPert has mounted a tremendous effort to ensure that the well is put under control and the discharge halted,” said Pete Kelly of ExPert. “We are working aggressively to mitigate the environmental impact and are committed to continue those efforts.”
The GICW is open to all vessel traffic however a safety zone remains in affect between mile markers 19 and 21 where a slow bell zone is in effect.
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