REPORT DATE: 08-22-2020
REPORT TIME: 0815 UTC
REGION: GULF OF MEXICO
SUB REGION: N/A
AREA/BLOCK: MISSISSIPPI CANYON    20
IMAGE DATE: 08-22-2020
IMAGE TIME: 0001 UTC
DATA SOURCE: SENTINEL1A 
MODE: Interferometric Wide (IW) VV
RESOLUTION: 20 meter
LOCATION: 28°56'16" N/88°58'14" W
AREA: 1.58 square kilometers
CONFIDENCE: High
REMARKS: Possible oil was observed in satellite imagery. This anomaly is unconfirmed as oil. The anomaly appeared to emanate north and northeastward from the site of the destroyed Taylor platform, a known repeat leak source. The anomaly measured approximately 5.1 nmi in length and up to 0.19 nmi in width, widening with distance from the suspected source. It appeared dark and distinct against its background. Winds at the time of the image were from the S at about 10 kts, which matched well with the orientation of the anomaly.

UNCERTAINTIES: The anomaly did not appear to be connected to the suspected source, although given the widening with distance, it was the most likely source. Given the repeat leak nature of the suspected source, confidence is high that this anomaly was oil.

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

ERMA: https://erma.noaa.gov/gulfofmexico/erma.html#/layers=1+45094&x=-88.97623033296003&y=29.00883673578179&z=11&panel=layer

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.

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

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