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News and Media Releases

Final Update: GOM Sheen

(Based on the statement issued by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement on April 16)

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has confirmed that a modest amount of oil is being released from a natural seafloor seep previously suspected as the source of an oil sheen reported last week in the Gulf of Mexico.

BSEE, along with natural seeps experts from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, viewed videotape from a remote operated vehicle survey deployed by Shell to make the final determination, confirming the ongoing release of oil from the natural seep. As part of this response, Shell’s ROVs performed a detailed inspection of the Shell-owned wells and flowlines in the area and found no problems. Shell production has not been impacted at either the Mars or Ursa development areas.