Chevron Trying to Close Off-Shore Oil Spill

Chevron's Brazilian outfit is trying to plug an oil leak off the coast of Brazil near the company's Frade field.

Dow Jones Newswires is reporting that the oil leak is not due to the company's offshore drilling operations which take place roughly 230 miles from Rio de Janeiro.

Company crews nevertheless are rushing equipment to try to locate the source of the leak, which is on the ocean floor. It is not immediately known how much oil is leaking into the South Atlantic.

The leak was first reported to Chevron by Brazilian oil giant Petroleo Brasileiro, or Petrobras, which also operates in the area, when Petrobras officials noticed an oil slick on the ocean's surface, reported Dow Jones Newswires.

Chevron Brasil Petroleo Ltd. is aware of an oil sheen located between the Frade and Roncador fields in the Campos Basin, said Kut Glaubitz, a company spokesperson. Chevron is investigating the source of the oil sheen. All the appropriate actions to respond are being taken.