REPORT DATE: 08-05-2026
REPORT TIME: 2318 UTC
REGION: GULF OF AMERICA
SUB REGION: N/A
AREA/BLOCK: GALVESTON BAY 133
IMAGE DATE: 08-05-2026
IMAGE TIME: 1650 UTC
DATA SOURCE: LANDSAT8
MODE: Multispectral  
RESOLUTION: 30 meter
LOCATION: 29°34'47" N/94°51'18" W
AREA: 0.85 square kilometers
CONFIDENCE: 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. This anomaly was believed to be associated with NRC#1469793, which reported an unknown sheen on 8/04 in Galveston Bay, Texas. The linear anomaly exhibited strong contrast against the ocean background, with patches of a silvery sheen near the center indicating possible thicker oil. Multiple smaller patches of possible oil were observed directly northwest of the anomaly. Another segment of possible oil was also observed less than 2 NM south of the primary anomaly that aligned with the overall trajectory. In total, it measured approximately 3.5 NM in length. Winds near the time of the image were out of the south at approximately 9 kts.

UNCERTAINTIES: The exact source of the anomaly could not be determined due to the presence of multiple oil facilities and pipelines in the area. It could not be conclusively determined if the two segments were attributed to the same source or were separate anomalies.

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/gulfofamerica/erma.html#/layers=1+58694&x=-94.85911200000001&y=29.577106999999998&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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