Crewboat hits inactive wellhead, causing oil spill - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Crewboat hits inactive wellhead, causing oil spill

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Source: US Coast Guard Source: US Coast Guard
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PORT SULPHUR, LA (WAFB) -

The US Coast Guard reported a crewboat hit an inactive wellhead near Port Sulphur, resulting in an oil spill Tuesday night.

The Coast Guard said on its website the accident happened about nine miles southwest of Port Sulphur around 8 p.m. An oily-water mixture is spraying out of the platform, but investigators don't know how much is discharging.

Authorities added they received a report the 42-foot crewboat Sea Raider bumped a wellhead owned by Swift Energy. According to the company, the wellhead was shut down in Dec. 2007.

Crews are working to secure the well. They are also trying to contain and clean up any of the leaking oil.

It is unknown what caused the boat to run into the wellhead.

The Coast Guard is investigating.

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