A spill response is under way after a substantial quantity of oil was released from a collapsed storage tank on a platform in Terrebonne Bay, Louisiana.
Namely, a platform structure at Hilcorp’s Caillou Island facility failed on August 8, causing a storage tank to fall into the water.
Hilcorp estimates that up to 14,000 gallons of crude oil were released.
The U.S. Coast Guard responded to the scene to oversee containment work. Until now, about 4,500 feet of containment boom have been deployed, along with three skimming vessels and five response vessels.
Automated systems secured the facility and alerted operators to the collapsed tank. The platform remains secured
a United States Coast Guard spokesperson said.
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
