LOUISIANA–(ENEWSPF)–April 30, 2010. The unified command continues with a comprehensive oil well intervention and spill-response plan following the April 22 sinking of the Transocean Deepwater Horizon drilling rig 130 miles southeast of New Orleans. Nearly 2,000 personnel are involved in the response effort with additional resources being mobilized as needed. The federal government has been fully engaged in the response since the incident occurred April 20.
The Minerals Management Service remains in contact with all oil and gas operators in the sheen area. Currently, no production has been curtailed as a result of the response effort.
Incident Facts:
More than 217,000 feet of boom (barrier) has been assigned to contain the spill. An additional 305,760 feet is available.
To date, the oil spill response team has recovered 20,313 barrels (853,146 gallons) of an oil-water mix. Vessels are in place and continuing recovery operations.
75 response vessels are being used including skimmers, tugs, barges and recovery vessels.
139,459 gallons of dispersant have been deployed and an additional 51,000 gallons are available.
Five staging areas are in place and ready to protect sensitive shorelines. These areas include:
Biloxi, Miss., Pensacola, Fla. Venice, La., Pascagoula, Miss., and Theodore, Ala.
A sixth staging area is being set up in Port Sulphur, La.
Weather conditions for April 30 – Winds from the southeast at 20 knots, 5 – 7 seas with slight chance of afternoon showers.
126 people were on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig when the incident occurred. 11 remain unaccounted for; 17 were injured, 3 of them critically. 1 injured person remains in the hospital.
To report oiled or injured wildlife, please call 1-800-557-1401.
To discuss spill related damage claims, please call 1-800-440-0858.
To report oil on land, or for general Community and Volunteer Information, please call 1-866-448-5816.
For the latest information visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/RobertLAJIC or on Facebook at Deepwater Horizon Response.
Source: deepwaterhorizonresponse.com
