BP PLC says some oil from its massive offshore 2010 spill along the Louisiana coast was exposed after Hurricane Isaac’s scouring waves exposed deposits of buried tar.
Louisiana officials closed a stretch of beach near Fourchon on Tuesday after scouts said they found large tar mats. BP acknowledged Wednesday the oil was from its spill.
Ray Melick, a BP spokesman, said in an email that “as this area has undergone severe coastal erosion by Hurricane Isaac, much of the oil has now been exposed.”
He says the company was working with the Coast Guard, state officials and land managers to clean up the exposed oil.
Since Isaac’s surge has receded, tar balls and oil have been reported in Alabama and Louisiana on beaches that previously had appeared clean.
