Shell Oil Reports 10-Square-Mile Oil Slick in the Middle of the Gulf

Royal Dutch Shell says a sheen of oil, 10 square miles in size, has been spotted in the Gulf of Mexico.

The company said that it hasn't determined the cause of the sheen, estimated in size to be the equivalent of six barrels of oil.

Said Fox Business, Shell issued a statement Thursday saying its operations in the Gulf are "normal with no sign of leaks" and that there are "no well control issues associated with our drilling operations in the area."

Late Wednesday, Shell said that it reported the sheen to the National Response Center. The U.S. Coast Guard said the sheen was discovered at 4:45 p.m. central time on Wednesday.