REPORT DATE: 02-02-2024
REPORT TIME: 0145 UTC
REGION: GULF OF MEXICO
SUB REGION: N/A
AREA/BLOCK: WEST CAMERON 551
IMAGE DATE: 02-02-2024
IMAGE TIME: 0019 UTC
DATA SOURCE: RADARSAT2 
MODE: Standard VV
RESOLUTION: 25 meter
LOCATION: 28°18'36" N/93°15'22" W
AREA: 19.82 square kilometers
CONFIDENCE: Medium-High
REPORT MAP/GIS FILES: https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/ocean/marinepollution/
REMARKS: Possible oil was observed in satellite imagery. This anomaly is unconfirmed as oil. The possible oil was located approximately 100 nmi southeast of Galveston, TX, and measured approximately 8.2 nmi in length and up to 1.7 nmi in width, oriented south to north. The anomaly appeared to widen with distance to the north, was dark against its background, and was visually distinct and distant from known natural seeps located in other areas of the image. Winds at the time of the image were around 7 kts from the S.

UNCERTAINTIES: The point source was identified based on the presence of a pipeline at the narrow end of the anomaly, along with the wind direction supporting this as the origin end. However, no known reports of an oil sheen or leak were found. The anomaly edges were also somewhat ill-defined, raising the possibility that this was either a seep or not oil. Wind speeds were also on the low end of ideal for oil detection. Thus, confidence is lowered to medium-high that this was oil.

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.

ERMA: https://erma.noaa.gov/gulfofmexico/erma.html#/layers=1+53131&x=-93.250125&y=28.3718495&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 

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