REPORT DATE: 10-13-2020
REPORT TIME: 0900 UTC
REGION: GULF OF MEXICO
SUB REGION: N/A
AREA/BLOCK: TRINITY BAY 2-3A
IMAGE DATE: 10-13-2020
IMAGE TIME: 0018 UTC
DATA SOURCE: SENTINEL1B 
MODE: Stripmap (SM) HH
RESOLUTION: 20 meter
LOCATION: 29°40'53" N/94°47'27" W
AREA: 0.52 square kilometers
CONFIDENCE: Medium-High
REMARKS: Possible oil was observed in satellite imagery. This anomaly is unconfirmed as oil. The anomaly was located in Trinity Bay near Galveston, TX and oriented in a S-N direction, The anomaly measured approximately 1.5 nmi in length and up to 0.3 nmi in width, widening with distance to the north. It had sharp edges and a dark appearance against its background, and appeared very distinct compared to its surroundings. Winds at the time of the image were around 10 kts from the S, which matched well with the orientation of the anomaly.

UNCERTAINTIES: There were numerous oil facilities and pipelines in the immediate vicinity of the anomaly. Thus, while the widening of the anomaly and the wind direction suggested a probable point source to the south, no specific point source could be identified. There were no known reports of oil slicks in the area.

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

ERMA: https://erma.noaa.gov/gulfofmexico/erma.html#/layers=1+45406&x=-94.78704617224065&y=29.679695048089414&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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