REPORT DATE: 01-28-2023
REPORT TIME: 0130 UTC
REGION: GULF OF MEXICO
SUB REGION: N/A
AREA/BLOCK: SOUTH MARSH   225
IMAGE DATE: 01-28-2023
IMAGE TIME: 0011 UTC
DATA SOURCE: RADARSAT2 
MODE: Standard VV
RESOLUTION: 15 meter
LOCATION: 29°24'12" N/91°55'33" W
AREA: 1.41 square kilometers
CONFIDENCE: Medium-High
REMARKS: Possible, unconfirmed oil was observed in satellite imagery. The possible oil was located approximately 7 nmi south of Marsh Island along the Louisiana coast, and measured approximately 3.4 nmi in length and up to 0.2 nmi in width oriented SE-NW. It appeared dark against its background with distinct edges, and had a unique appearance compared to surrounding areas of the image. Winds at the time of the image were around 6 kts from the ESE.

UNCERTAINTIES: While several oil facilities and pipelines were in the vicinity of the possible oil, none could be identified as a possible source. The winds were at the low end of the optimal range for oil detection in SAR imagery. The proximity to land allowed for the possibility that the area was natural in origin.

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

ERMA: https://erma.noaa.gov/gulfofmexico/erma.html#/layers=1+51345&x=-91.924045&y=29.402974&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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