CONFIRMED: Aerial Video Shows Second Leaking Rig Near The Deepwater Horizon

Diamond Offshore's Ocean Saratoga rig

UPDATE: Taylor Energy Will Soon Put Out Comment On Saratoga Leak

Earlier we published speculation from satellite analytics group SkyTruth that there may be a second leak in the Gulf. A freelance pilot and photographer confirmed these rumors and a possible coverup.

Photographer J Henry Fair says the new photos show an oil plume originating from the Ocean Saratoga rig, which is operated by Diamond Offshore. A work ship in the foreground appeared to be applying dispersants to the oil. A larger rig in the background may be discharging another leak.

This leak was reported last night by Alabama local news. NOAA also mentioned this leak in an April 30 oil slick map [PDF]. [COTO Ed. Note: I found no such mention in that document.]

Diamond Offshore spokesman Gary Krenek tells us his company was hired by Taylor Energy to “plug and abandon” the existing well. He declined to comment on the reported leak.

The rig was damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, according to Times Picayune. However, Diamond Offshore tells us, however, it was not hired to close the well until 2009.

So how long and how much oil has leaked?

A NOAA spokeswoman said “scientists are looking into the leak.” Meanwhile, Coast Guard rep Zachary Zubricki tells us “this is not a story.”

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Ed. Note: The following info describes Ocean Saratoga per Diamond Offshore:

Rig Type	Semisubmersible
Rig Location	US Gulf of Mexico
Rig Design	Enhanced F&G SS-2000
Year Built	1976
Yard Built	Avondale Shipyard, New Orleans
Class	ABS AI Column Stabilized Drilling Unit
Registry	Marshall Islands
Water Depth – Ft	2,000
Drilling Depth – Ft	25,000
Quarters	90+ 2 bed hospital
Dimensions	260′ x 200′ x 80′
Helideck	66′ octagonal for Sikorsky S-61
Drilling Draft	45′
Variable Deckload – Operating	2,500 ST
Variable Deckload – Transit	1,000 ST
Number of Columns	6
Max Combined Structure Load	2,400 kips
Operating Displacement	18,860 LT
Bulk Mud & Cement	10,200 cu ft
Liquid Mud	1,700 bbls
Fuel Oil	6,800 bbls
Drill Water	124,00 bbls
Potable Water	1,225 bbls
Sack Storage	6,000 sacks
Drawworks	Oilwell E-3000 w/1-1/2″ drill line
Derrick	Derricks Inc. 40′ x 40′ x 180′, 1,000 kips static hook load
Top Drive	Varco TDS-4S w/PH-85 pipe handler
Pipe Handling System	BJ 3-arm racking system, Varco AR-3200 Iron Roughneck
Rotary	Oilwell A-495, 49-1/2″
Top of Rotary Table to Bottom of Barge	117.5 Ft.
Mud Pumps	(3) Oilwell A1700-PT
Main Engines	(3) EMD 16-645-E8
Annular BOP	(2) Shaffer 21-1/4″ 5K
Ram BOP	(2) Cameron 18-3/4″ Type U (double) 10K
Diverter	Regan KDFS 20″
Riser	Vetco 21″ MR6-C
Riser Tensioning	640 kips
Solids Control	(4) Fluid Systems, Series 50/500, Cascade system
Cranes	(1) Seatrax 6024 w/80′ Boom, (2) Seatrax 6032 w/140′ Boom
Mooring System	(8) 2-3/4″ x 2,300′ ORQ+20 chains, (8) 2-3/4″ x 6,000′ mooring wires, 12 MT Bruce MK-4 anchors