U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Cooper Bayou Oil Spill

 
Site Contact:
Julie Sejour

(sejour.julie@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Zachary, LA 70729
 scribenet.response.epa.gov/CooperBayouOilSpill
NRC#: 1439762

On August 13, 2025, at 4:44 p.m., EPA was notified by the National Response Center (NRC) of a discharge of oil from the GDE Investments LLC Well site near Zachary, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. According to the NRC, the result of the discharge is unknown. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office (LOSCO) determined the responsible party. They reported that the discharge originated at a well pad (March 2025) into Cooper Bayou, and traveled approximately three miles downstream to a collection point near their tank battery. The collection point is approximately one mile from the Mississippi River. The discharge is classified as a minor discharge as defined in § 300.5 of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan.

 

The EPA OSC and EPA’s technical assistance contractor (START) were activated to perform a preliminary assessment and ensure that a proper removal action is taking place by the responsible party. LDEQ and LOSCO are responding and providing support to the federal on-scene coordinator (FOSC).

 

Click here to view the StoryMap.


The ERRS using a weedeater and side by side ATV to access pockets of oil in the bayou and clean them. A small pocket of oil collected against the pipes at the bottom of Cooper Bayou. This oil is also contained by hard and adsorbent boom on either side. Hard boom placed at the location of the washed out bridge to keep any oil in the water from migrating further south View of ERRS launching their boat to begin deploying hard boom throughout Cooper Bayou. Boat launch is in the Mississippi River, and boat reaches Cooper Bayou by water. View of Cooper Bayou at the collection zone facing southward later during the day to show the influence of the Mississippi River water fluctuations. View of Cooper Bayou north (upstream) of the collection point with no visibly stained shoreline or vegetation. EPA, START, and ERRS meeting with representatives from Louisiana State Police at the Louisiana State Police Joint Emergency Services Training Center (JESTC). View of hard boom that was deployed approximately 2.8 miles south of the leaking frac tank area. View of Cooper Bayou near the collection area, approximately 2.8 miles south of the leaking frac tank area. View of Cooper Bayou at the collection area, approximately 2.8 miles south of the leaking frac tank area. View of the north end of the leaking frac tank. View of the area west of the leaking frac tank. View of the area south of the leaking frac tank.