Unified Command Secures Well 59 Discharge and Advances Pollution Response near Garden Island Bay, Louisiana

On May 4, 2025, the Unified Command—led by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office (LOSCO)—successfully halted the uncontrolled release of oil and natural gas from Well 59 near Garden Island Bay, Louisiana, and continues extensive pollution‐response operations to protect sensitive habitats and communities. 

The incident was first reported on April 26, 2025, when oil and gas began discharging from Well 59 adjacent to Garden Island Bay. 

After assessing the uncontrolled flow, the Unified Command determined that a well intervention team would be dispatched to gain physical control of the wellhead. 

• Wellhead Intervention: At approximately 12:00 PM on May 4, responders cut the flange on the damaged wellhead and installed a flowback assembly, effectively stopping the discharge at its source. 

• Boom Deployment: To contain any spreading oil, crews have positioned 20,300 feet of 18-inch containment boom around the site, with an additional 4,200 feet staged for rapid deployment if needed. 

• Absorbent Materials: A total of 1,047 bales of absorbent boom have been placed to shield nearby islands and shorelines from oiling. 

• Recovery Totals: Since operations began, responders have recovered roughly 70,812 gallons of oily water mixture; the precise volume of oil released remains under evaluation.

• Shoreline Assessments: Teams continue to survey shorelines daily, prioritizing conservation of sensitive habitats and employing Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Techniques (SCAT) to guide remediation. 

• Wildlife Monitoring: Aerial reconnaissance and on-water patrols are ongoing. To date, only one oiled bird has been sighted, though not yet captured. The public is urged to report wildlife impacts to the Wildlife Hotline at 832-514-9663. 

• Air Quality Checks: Continuous air monitoring has shown no immediate health hazards in the response area. 

• Federal Control: To streamline operations, the Coast Guard assumed federal oversight of the response on Thursday, April 30, accessing the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and contracting Environmental Safety & Health Consulting Services Inc. for cleanup work and Couvillion Group for source control.

• Unified Command Leadership: Capt. Greg Callaghan, U.S. Coast Guard Federal On-Scene Coordinator, emphasized that regaining control of the discharge is a significant milestone but only the first step in a thorough cleanup to safeguard both the local community and ecosystem.

The response involves multiple federal, state, and private partners, including but not limited to:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 

• Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) 

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 

• Louisiana Departments of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Environmental Quality (LDEQ), and Energy and Natural Resources (LDENR) 

• Plaquemines Parish Government, Forefront Emergency Management (FEM), Clean Gulf Associates (CGA), Wild Well Control, and others 

• Safety Zone: A one-nautical-mile vessel exclusion zone remains in effect; the public should avoid the area to allow safe and uninterrupted response activities. 

• Information & Reporting: Observations of oil should be sent to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802. Affected individuals and businesses may seek assistance by calling 1-866-601-5880.