The U.S. Coast Guard is spearheading an extensive oil spill cleanup operation in the Gulf of Mexico following a leak from an underwater pipeline operated by Main Pass Oil Gathering Co. (MPOG).

The spill was reported by a company aircrew during an overflight last Thursday, prompting the activation of the National Response Team, a federal interagency group tasked with coordinating responses to oil pollution incidents.

The crude oil pipeline, located approximately 19 miles off the coast of Venice, Louisiana, is owned by Third Coast Infrastructure LLC. While the company declined to comment on the incident, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed its involvement in the cleanup efforts.

The Coast Guard, working in conjunction with MPOG, the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other agencies, deployed a comprehensive response strategy to contain the incident.

According to the report, the multi-agency team focused primarily on containing the spill and preventing further spread, followed by remediation efforts to remove the oil from the marine environment.

The National Response Team, comprised of 15 federal entities, plays a crucial role in coordinating the response to large-scale oil spills. By bringing together expertise from various agencies, the team ensures a unified and effective approach to mitigating the environmental impact of the spill.

The Coast Guard is actively monitoring the situation and providing regular updates as the cleanup progresses with the extent of the environmental damage remaining to be assessed. The ongoing efforts aim to minimize the adverse effects on the Gulf of Mexico's delicate ecosystem.