Coast Guard searching for boat in oil spill

An oil well operated by ExPert Oil and Gas, LLC, of Covington, was damaged sometime after midnight Saturday, resulting in at least 61,000 gallons of sweet medium crude oil being discharged into Bayou Perot, according to U.S. Coast Guard officials.

“It appears that the wellhead was struck by a vessel,” according to Coast Guard LCDR Cheri Ben-Iesau. ExPert Oil and Gas is offering a $35,000 reward for information resulting in the positive and verified identification of the person or persons responsible for damaging the wellhead.

Louisiana Fish and Wildlife officials are assessing the environmental impact of the spill, which has yet to be determined. According to John King of ExPert Oil and Gas, over 50,000 feet of containment booms have been erected around the sight of the spill.

“Expert was very quick to step up to the plate to minimize the environmental impact of the spill,” Ben-Ieasau said.

The spill occurred near mile marker 20 of the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway. The GICW has been open to all vessel traffic between mile markers 19 and 21 where a slow bell zone was in effect.

Friday afternoon the wind shifted forcing the Coast Guard to close the ICW, Ben-Iesau said. The Coast Guard hasn’t issued a statement indicating when the ICW will reopen.

Officials have refused to comment on the status of the hit and run investigation.