REPORT DATE: 08-17-2018
REPORT TIME: 1920 UTC
REGION: GULF OF MEXICO
SUB REGION: N/A
AREA/BLOCK: MAIN PASS   131 
IMAGE DATE: 08-16-2018
IMAGE TIME: 2347 UTC
DATA SOURCE: COSMOSKYMED 
MODE: ScanSAR Wide VV
RESOLUTION: 30 meter
LOCATION: 29°22'51" N/88°42'53" W
AREA: 2.64 square kilometers (Updated 05/26/2020)
CONFIDENCE: Medium
REMARKS: Possible oil was observed in satellite imagery. This anomaly is unconfirmed as oil. The segmented anomaly had a large contrast to its surroundings, well-defined edges, and stood out of place. Its shape was also irregular. Winds and ocean currents were light in the vicinity at the time of the image, and its orientation was not supported by those environmental conditions. Since the anomaly was not connected to a point source or associated with a reported oil spill event, we only have medium confidence that the anomaly was an oil slick.

UNCERTAINTIES: Although the point source was unknown, it may have been affiliated with NRC notification 1221713, which reported an unknown sheen emanating from an oil facility about 3.7 nm to the ENE of the easternmost segment of the anomaly. Since the wind and ocean current data did not agree with the location of the anomaly relative to the location of the oil facility, we could not infer its association with the NRC report.

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

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.