REPORT DATE: 12-23-2020
REPORT TIME: 2000 UTC
REGION: GULF OF MEXICO
SUB REGION: N/A
AREA/BLOCK: GALVESTON BAY 208
IMAGE DATE: 12-23-2020
IMAGE TIME: 0026 UTC
DATA SOURCE: SENTINEL1A 
MODE: Interferometric Wide (IW) VV
RESOLUTION: 20 meter
LOCATION: 29°36'12" N/94°55'27" W
AREA: 0.76 square kilometers
CONFIDENCE: Medium
REMARKS: Possible oil was observed in satellite imagery. This anomaly is unconfirmed as oil. The anomaly was located in Galveston Bay and had a fairly strong contrast to its background. The dimensions of the anomaly were approximately 2.72nm altogether in length, and 0.30nm at its widest point. Winds at the time of the image were SE at 10kts. There were multiple oil facilities in the area, although the anomaly did not appear to be directly connected to any. Therefore, our confidence was capped at Medium.

UNCERTAINTIES: The anomaly did not appear to be connected to a point source. There was also a possibility that the anomaly was associated with biogenic material. 

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

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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