REPORT DATE: 07-26-2018
REPORT TIME: 0230 UTC
REGION: GULF OF MEXICO
SUB REGION: N/A
AREA/BLOCK: SHIP SHOAL   142
IMAGE DATE: 07-25-2018
IMAGE TIME: 1631 UTC
DATA SOURCE: LANDSAT8
MODE: Multispectral  
RESOLUTION: 30 meter
LOCATION: 28°44'52" N/90°53'15" W
AREA: 7.50 square kilometers (Updated 05/26/2020)
CONFIDENCE: Medium-High
REMARKS:  Possible oil was observed in satellite imagery. This anomaly is unconfirmed as oil. The anomaly appears silver and gradually gives way to black, and it is indicative of an oil anomaly. The anomaly appears to emanate from an unknown point source which appears red in the image. Extensive research in the NOAA database has not found any oil facility in the immediate area near the suspected point source, furthermore local wind & current data which was out of the NNE does not agree with the apparent North movement of this anomaly; conversely this evidence would support a vessel moving south however the presence of a wake is not readily identifiable in this image. Confidence was determined to be Medium-high due to the strong signature of an anomaly along with the apparent presence of a point source, it also should be noted that NRC 1219473 & 1219422 indicate observed anomalies in the general area which could be related to this anomaly. 

UNCERTAINTIES:  While it is apparent that a point source exists it cannot be confirmed and its exact identity remains unknown. 


ANALYST: FISHER
Maps and shapefiles can be accessed at: www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/ocean/marinepollution/

ERMA: https://erma.noaa.gov/gulfofmexico/erma.html#/layers=1+46601&x=-90.88093&y=28.7607175&z=11&panel=layer

For further information on oil spill response and assessment go to: https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills

If you would like to share any feedback about this report or have questions, please contact the operational analyst at (301) 683-1403 or send to oceanmap@noaa.gov. Email alerts are available only for federal and state government officials involved in response efforts. Requests to be added to the email alerts should also be sent to oceanmap@noaa.gov. Please allow up to 2 business days to process the request.