REPORT DATE: 11-07-2019
REPORT TIME: 1445 UTC
REGION: GULF OF MEXICO
SUB REGION: N/A
AREA/BLOCK: MISSISSIPPI CANYON    20
IMAGE DATE: 11-07-2019
IMAGE TIME: 1150 UTC
DATA SOURCE: RADARSAT2 
MODE: Standard VV
RESOLUTION: 25 meter
LOCATION: 28°56'16" N/88°58'14" W
AREA: 5.44 square kilometers (Updated 05/26/2020)
CONFIDENCE: High
REMARKS: Possible oil was observed in satellite imagery. This anomaly is unconfirmed as oil. The anomaly appeared to emanate generally WSW from the area of the destroyed Taylor Platform and was approximately 10.5 nmi in length and up to 0.25 nmi in width. Winds at the time of the image were approximately 5 kts from the SE. The anomaly was dark against its immediate background. It was linear in nature, in contrast to adjacent dark areas which were likely the result of the low wind speed. Given the repeat leak nature of the suspected source, confidence is high that this was oil.

UNCERTAINTIES: Wind speeds were at the low end of the ideal range for oil detection, and the wind direction did not align with the orientation of the anomaly. However, the direction of modeled ocean currents did align well with the anomaly.

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

ERMA: https://erma.noaa.gov/gulfofmexico/erma.html#/layers=1+47094&x=-89.047878&y=28.929344999999998&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.