On May 22, 2026, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) was notified by California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) that a crude oil pipeline was ruptured during construction activities. An unknown quantity of oil has reached the Los Angeles River. U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach is monitoring the situation, but for now, the discharge remains outside of USCG jurisdiction. The NOAA SSC remains in contact with USCG. No immediate assistance from NOAA has been requested.
On May 19, 2026 the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received notification of a crude oil spill from an out-of-service tank at the TPIC Main Pass 69 Central facility. An estimated 50 barrels of oil spilled into adjacent marsh, shell beach, and water. TPIC is investigating the exact source location. An oil spill removal organization (OSRO) is onsite, conducting the cleanup. The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) is responding on-site.
On May 19, 2026, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for Oceania was notified of a diesel discharge in Ala Wai Harbor in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. Suspected cause was due to an improper fuel transfer. The U.S. Coast Guard requested assistance with resources at risk (RAR) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation.
On May 16, 2026, Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Texas City notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) of a beached fishing (shrimping) vessel at Crystal Beach, Texas. The vessel has 1,000 gallons of diesel and is not currently discharging. Requested a trajectory and weather outlook for the week for preparedness.
On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received notification from the National Response Center regarding a reported 15-barrel release of crude oil from a TPIC pipeline in Main Pass 69. The crude oil impacted rip rap and water. An overflight on the same day reported an offshore slick of dark oil and sheen. USCG requested assistance from NOAA in determining a potential relationship between the slick and the TPIC spill.
On May 11, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) that a fire has broken out on the oil platform Habitat in the Santa Barbara Channel. Initial reports are that it is a natural gas fire and all persons on board have been evacuated. Additional information to follow.
On May 8, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received a report of a 30-mile rainbow mystery sheen in Green Canyon 241, approximately 90 miles south of Louisiana. USCG requested a spill trajectory.
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Savannah contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) on May 8, 2026 to request any imagery that could help resolve an oil release from a vessel in transit from Norfolk, Virginia to Savannah, Georgia between April 23 and April 25, 2026. The M/V ZIM ATLANTIC arrived in Savannah on April 25, 2026 with a crack on the port side leading into one of its fuel tanks. The crack was discovered in port when a minimal sheen was observed. The case has concluded and the vessel has departed Savannah, but the Coast Guard was attempting to pinpoint exactly when the structural damage occurred. OR&R sought input from NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS).
Hazardous Waste Site | Houston, Texas | 1960s - Present
Oil Spill | Richmond, California | 1917 - Present
Hazardous Waste Site | Trainer, Pennsylvania | 1900 - Present
Hazardous Waste Site | Woburn, MA | 1853 to 1969
What Happened?
Between 1853 and 1969, The Industri-Plex Superfund Site was an industrial facility that produced pesticides, munitions, leather goods, and glue. Byproducts of these operations were released on the site contaminating groundwater, soil and sediments. During the 1970s, when the site was being developed for further industrial use, soil excavations uncovered and mixed the wastes and products accumulated for more than 130 years, aggravating the ongoing contamination.
Oil Spill | Corpus Christi, TX | December 2022
What Happened?
On December 24, 2022, a pipeline failure at the Ingleside crude oil terminal Dock #5 in Corpus Christi Bay (“Bay”) occurred. The terminal and pipeline are owned by Flint Hills Resources (“Responsible Party”). The pipeline failure released approximately 14,000 gallons of light crude oil into Corpus Christi Bay. The responsible party worked with local, state, and federal agencies to establish a command post in Corpus Christi, Texas from December 30, 2022, through January 5, 2023.
Ship Grounding | Mona Island, Puerto Rico | August 2023
What Happened?
Oil Spill | Sitka, Alaska | March 2022
What Happened?
Hazardous Waste Site | Washington, DC | Late 1800s to present
What Happened?
Oil Spill | Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana | October 2017
What Happened?
Hazardous Waste Site | Wilmington, DE | 1935-2017
What Happened?
On April 29, 2026, staff from Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) regarding a potential spill in the Kennebec River near Skowhegan, Maine. The exact time and discharge amount is unknown. Maine DEP was on-scene investigating the incident with divers who were examining a discharge pipe in approximately 30-foot of water. DEP conferred with NOAA regarding the feasibility of using side scan sonar to investigate the oil. DEP also requested a trajectory from NOAA, to assist the response effort.
On April 27, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received a report of crude oil spilled into Florence Canal from a sight glass on a free water knockout at a Texas Petroleum Investment Company (TPIC) facility. A USCG site visit on April 28 confirmed that 35 barrels of oil had spilled. The waterway, adjacent vegetation, and the clay banks of the waterway are impacted. The field is shut-in and the release secured. An oil spill response organization contracted by TPIC is on-site conducting skimming operations.
TPIC OSRO on-site conducting skimming operations.
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