Federal authorities investigate underwater oil pipeline leak off the coast of Louisiana

VENICE, La.– Federal authorities said Saturday they are investigating a leak from an underwater oil pipeline off the coast of Louisiana.

The National Transportation Safety Board said on Louisiana. The agency said the pipeline is operated by Third Coast Infrastructure LLC.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, said oil sheen was observed on the water around 9 a.m. Thursday and Third Coast Midstream Pipeline reported the leak 10 minutes later. A flight over the area around 2 p.m. that day reported a spot 3 to 4 miles wide (about 5.5 kilometers) “with dark oil strewn throughout,” the agency said on its website.