Another oil spill off the Louisiana coast, but contained within 36 hours

The U.S Coast Guard is responding to a natural gas and crude oil discharge from an abandoned wellhead owned by Hilcorp Energy near mile marker 10 on the Lower Mississippi River, southwest of Venice, Louisiana, according to a USCG.

The National Response Center, according to the Guard, received a report of the spill about 1:14 p.m. March 20.

Coast Guard members from Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Incident Management Division were notified at approximately 1:30 p.m. March 20 about the discharge. According to the press release, the Guard arrived on scence about 10:30 yesterday morning, March 21. THey reported an estimated 840 gallons of crude oil was in the water (see photo).

The source of the spill was reported to be from Hilcorp Energy, who announced that the "source of oil" was secured approximately 9:45 p.m. yesterday.

Hilcorp Energy has contracted CUDD Well Control, OMI Environmental Solutions, and Clean Gulf Associates to conduct response operations. Boom, sorbent material, and skimming vessels are being deployed to slow the spread of oil and collect oil from the surface.

The Coast Guard is scheduled to fly over the area today to assess the situation.

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Incident Management Division will oversee all response operations. And while the press release states "there are no reports of affected wildlife," watch this space for any reports that may come in after the overflight and in the days to come.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Gulf of Mexico Environmental News called Hilcorp for comment, and through a service was told a spokesperson for the company said they aren't answering calls right now.

Photo: A purportedly 840-gallon spill issued southwest of Venice from Monday afternoon before being contained last night, March 21. Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Incident Management Division

Update: 8:14 p.m. CT Mar 22: The following press release was issued from New Orleans: The Coast Guard reports that clean-up operations for an oil spill from an abandoned wellhead near Venice, Louisiana, that occurred March 21 have been completed, Wednesday.

Hilcorp Energy reported that the source of the oil discharge has been secured.

Members from the Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Incident Management Division assessed the scene of the incident via a flyover, a shoreline assessment, and a visual inspection of the wellhead, Wednesday.

There were no discrepancies or significant sheening reported.

Approximately 168 gallons of crude oil were reported to be collected during clean-up operations.