From the department of No One Could Have Predicted This (via Marketwatch):
...an oil slick was reportedly spotted near its platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. In a statement, Shell said the company is sending a spill-response vessel and will request flights to monitor the advance, and has also reported the sheen to the National Response Center, run by the U.S. Coast Guard. The slick measures 10 square miles, and media reports said it's about 130 miles southeast of New Orleans. "At this time, the source of this sheen is unknown, and Shell's priority is to respond proactively, safely, and in close coordination with regulatory agencies," Shell said. "Updates will be provided as further action is taken."
Not much of a dairy and we don't know much but 10 mile oil slicks in the gulf have a bad track record. We should know if this is a big deal after planes fly over the slick this morning. By now eyes are probably already looking at it but it may be a while before we find out if it's a plume from a blowout or a mess from a leaking shrimp boat.
Shell seems to be troubled enough to start denying it. That gets my ears listening.
UPDATE: Interesting tidbit from the Financial Post:
Shell said operational spills of oil and oil products doubled to 6,000 metric tons last year, up from 2,900 tons in 2010, according to the company’s sustainability report published on its website Thursday. The Bonga field spill in Nigeria accounted for about 80% of the total volume in 2011, ...
Let's hope this isn't the start of another record breaking spill season. DRILL BABY, DRILL!
UPDATE: Here's a link to a much more detailed account of what the "fly by" will entail from UPSTREAM, an esoteric gulf energy site.
UPDATE: Here is a more recent statement from BP via UPSTREAM. I'm pasting in the money quote below because it could well be the end of the story... or it's bullshit tagline if there is truly, trouble down deep:
"We have also confirmed there are no well control issues associated with our drilling operations in the area."
Shell also said the sheen is estimated to be about six barrels.
... like I said, this could be a plume or it could be a leaky shrimp boat. I'm rooting for the shrimp boat but trust and oil don't mix. It's always good to be reminded of what can and has happened.