That Oil Looks Like Macondo Oil!

Oil spews from the Macondo well in 2010. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey via WHOI)

(Bloomberg) — An oil sheen discovered last month in the Gulf of Mexico near the site of the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion matches samples from the BP Plc oil spill.

BP, the owner of the well that caused the worst offshore spill in U.S. history, reported the sheen on Sept. 16, and the U.S. Coast Guard took samples 10 days later, the Coast Guard said yesterday in a statement on its website.

“The exact source of the sheen is uncertain at this time, but could be residual oil associated with wreckage and/or debris left on the seabed from the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010,” according to the statement. “The sheen is not feasible to recover and does not pose a risk to the shoreline.”

BP and Transocean Ltd., the owner of the drilling rig that sank, may be held “accountable” for any cost associated with further assessments or operations related to the sheen, according to the release.

Mark Salt, a spokesman for London-based BP, couldn’t immediately comment on the sheen.

Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights

Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update

— trusted by our 108,050 members