Ruptured Pipeline Leaks into Gulf of Mexico

A sheen of oil is seen in the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, during an overflight assessment about 30 miles southeast of Galveston. A ruptured pipeline was discovered early Sunday and cleanup crews are working to contain the spill.

U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Tilimon The light crude oil pipeline that ruptured 30 miles south east of Galveston, Texas, Sunday has continued to leak oil into the Gulf of Mexico. An overflight sent out by Plains Pipeline today to view the spill site spotted a light sheen, which is approximately two miles long and 100 yards wide. The flight confirmed that the current and wind are pushing the oil away from shore, and it is not interrupting any ship traffic.

The pipeline is leaking from the platform side of the rupture at approximately 500 gallons a day. An estimate of 42,000 gallons of oil has been leaked. Plains Pipeline is bringing in a dive ship, the American Victory, which is scheduled to arrive Wednesday morning. Once on scene the divers will survey the damage and plug the pipeline. A Unified Command is overseeing the operation, and consists of the Plains Pipeline LP, the Coast Guard and Texas General Land Office.