Sunoco: Revised estimate of oil spilled is now up to 4,500 barrels

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) - Sunoco Logistics has revised their estimate of how much oil has spilled in Mooringsport since a pipeline break in mid-October.

As cleanup of the oil spill continues, the company now says about 4,500 barrels spilled along the Tete Bayou in Caddo Parish on October 13. That's 500 barrels more than originally estimated.

So far, they've recovered about 3,400 barrels. Officials say the recovered amount fluctuates because oil separates from water, making it difficult to give an exact amount. Despite other reports that the oil had reached Caddo Lake, Sunoco Logistics says that is not the case. Monday, the company released the following statement:

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Sunoco Logistics today inspected absorbent booms that were placed in Caddo Lake as a protective measure against the spread of oil into the lake.

Inspection of the booms by the EPA fasound that the absorbent material was stained naturally from lake water but there was no oil in, on or around the booms. These areas at the mouth of the lake have been regularly inspected since the Oct. 13 crude oil release from the Mid-Valley Pipeline into Tete Bayou, which feeds Caddo Lake. No oil has been detected in Caddo Lake by the Unified Command operation that has included U.S. EPA, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana State Police and Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office."

Sunoco reports that 482 dead animals have been collected and 45 have been cleaned and released. Most of those animals are said to be crawfish and amphibians.

Officials say that federal authorities will determine when the emergency phase will be over, and after that, the restoration will begin.

A long-term restoration plan is in the works to restore the area over a matter of time.

The spill was caused by a pipeline rupturing.