Coast Guard continues oil clean up in Calcasieu Ship Channel

Coast Guard continues oil clean up in Calcasieu Ship Channel    The U.S. Coast Guard continues to clean up an oil spill in Louisiana’s Calcasieu Ship Channel, causing vessel delays to bulk, chemical and petroleum terminals in the Lake Charles area.
   The agency estimates that as much as 15,000 to 18,000 barrels of oil leaked into channel late Tuesday from Citgo’s Clifton Ridge Terminal. Heavy rains and partial flooding overwhelmed Citgo’s waste water storage tank area and dikes.
   The Coast Guard said multiple contract oil recovery organizations, vessels, skimmers, and containment booms have been deployed to the site. The channel is closed from light 113 near Rose Bluff to light 94 just south of Moss Lake, La.
   As of Thursday afternoon, the Coast Guard reported that six ships waited to depart the affected area and 14 vessels were waiting to come into port. Facilities affected by the channel closure are the Calcasieu Refinery, CII Carbon, Conoco Clifton Ridge, Citgo Clifton Ridge, Citgo Refinery, Bulk Terminal 1, Port of Lake Charles, PPG, Conoco West Lake Refinery, Bulk Terminal 4, Port Agragates, Pelican Refinery and Centeral Crude.
   The Coast Guard warned that the channel may be closed through the weekend.