Oil spill near Louisiana dumped 26,000 barrels in Gulf of Mexico

(Bloomberg) — The U.S. Coast Guard is still trying to find the source of an oil leak estimated to have dumped 26,000 barrels of crude oil — enough to fill two Olympic-size swimming pools — into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana.

Remotely-operated vehicles continue to survey a pipeline operated by Main Pass Oil Gathering Company, close to where the discharge took place, near Plaquemines Parish, southeast of New Orleans. The leak was first discovered five days ago, on Thursday at 6:30 am, prompting Main Pass to shut its line that transports crude oil from fields in the Gulf of Mexico to the coast. 

Skimming ships are working to recover oil on the surface. There have been no reported injuries or shoreline impact. Main Pass declined to comment and redirected inquiries to the Coast Guard. 

News of the spill triggered a jump in prices of Heavy Louisiana Sweet oil produced in the area. On Friday prices closed at the highest premium to benchmark West Texas Intermediate oil since August.