Garden Island Bay, Louisiana – A major oil leak off the Louisiana coast has been contained after more than a week of discharging oil and natural gas into the surrounding marshland.

The offshore well blowout was first reported on April 26, 2025, and involved a 30 to 40-foot geyser of oil contaminating critical Gulf Coast habitats.

A helicopter overflight video showed the affected area near Garden Island Bay. Boom was deployed to contain the spread, and a safety zone was established.

The Unified Command, including the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies, is continuing cleanup efforts. The well is identified as Well #59, and though not abandoned, it had been out of operation since 2016.

The Coast Guard collected about 70,000 gallons of an oily mixture. However, reports suggest the total discharge may exceed 100,000 gallons.

One oiled bird has been sighted, and pollutants have entered a protected area for endangered sea turtles.

Federal maps and satellite data from watchdog group SkyTruth confirmed the spill’s extent. The NOAA Office of Response and Restoration is involved despite recent staff cuts.

Response delays were partly due to the remote location, taking nearly a week for capping equipment to arrive. The well was finally capped on May 4, 2025.

The incident underscores the ongoing risk of aging or unplugged oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana has plugged hundreds but thousands remain uncapped.

Community members in Plaquemines Parish report frequent leaks from inactive wells. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated funds for more plugging operations.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the blowout.

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