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Press Release | Jan. 13, 2024

PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Agencies respond to oil discharge near Venice, LA

U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Office: 504-671-2020 Cell: 618-225-9008

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NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard and Texas Petroleum Investment Company (TPIC) are responding to an oil spill near Venice, Louisiana.

An overflight first observed a sheen Wednesday, and the source of the spill was later identified as a TPIC crude oil pipeline.

On Thursday, TPIC secured the pipeline, organized response resources for the company’s estimated 1,008-gallon discharge through local oil spill removal organizations including Environmental Safety & Health Consulting Services Inc. and Clean Gulf Associates. An overflight by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans aircrew reported a broken 13-mile sheen with streaks of recoverable oil Thursday.

TPIC repaired the pipeline late Thursday. After confirming successful repairs, the pipeline was brought back into operation on Friday with no further reported discharge. An overflight on Friday with a Coast Guard Sector New Orleans pollution responder onboard and a follow-on overflight today reported no oil observed. 

There have been no reports of injuries, wildlife or shoreline impacts.

Mariners are encouraged to report any observations of oil to Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Command Center at 504-365-2200.

The incident is under investigation.

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