MEGA BORG OIL SPILL
The MEGA BORG released 5.1 million gallons of oil as the result of a lightering accident and subsequent fire. The incident occurred 57 miles south-southeast of Galveston, Texas on June 8, 1990. The Mega Borg was unloading crude oil onto another tanker when the spill occurred.
Estimates suggest the tanker lost as much as 3 million gallons of oil. The U.S. Coast Guard said that only roughly 12,000 gallons remained on the water after much of the oil had burnt or evaporated (75,000 gallons of oil were recovered). Concerns were there that the spill could form tar balls on Galveston beaches, but only a few minor incidents were noted.
CAUSE
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There were explosions in the pump room and fire during lightering operations. |
TYPE OF OIL
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Angolan Crude Oil ( 4 million gallons spilled or burnt. Estimated 2000 tons spilled ) |
SYSTEM
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Offshore Texas; Texas near shore waters of High Island - Sabine; Louisiana beaches |
SIGNIFICANCE
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Offshore Containment and removal effective |
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Dispersant application allowed |
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Open water Bio-remediation tested |
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Mexican Pemex skimmer effective |
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Oil transported to near shore where fresh water inflow held oil off Texas beaches |
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Controversy over fire-fighting |