Cleanup personnel is responding to a large oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of Hurricane Ida, according to the US Coast Guard, while a private team of divers is set to descend underwater to find the source of the leak.

The Clean Gulf Associates, a nonprofit oil-spill response cooperative, has put a containment boom in the region to prevent the oil from spreading further, according to Lieutenant John Edwards, a spokesperson for the US Coast Guard.

The company's ships are also equipped with skimmers that can remove oil from the water, however, only approximately 42 gallons (160 liters) have been removed thus far.

The continuous spill appears to be originating from an underwater source at an offshore drilling lease approximately two miles (three kilometers) south of Louisiana's oil and gas hub, Port Fourchon.

So far, the expanding spill appears to have stayed out to sea and has had little effect on the Louisiana coastline.

The amount of oil in the sea has yet to be determined, but recent satellite pictures reviewed by the Associated Press news agency on Saturday appeared to show the slick migrating eastward more than 12 miles (19 kilometers) along the Gulf coast.

According to Edwards, reaction teams are analyzing reports and satellite data to assess the extent of the spill.

According to him, the source of the pollution is thought to be crude oil from a Talos Energy-owned undersea pipeline in Bay Marchand, Block 4.

Even though the Houston-based energy business claims it is not responsible for the oil in the sea, Brian L Grove, a spokesperson for the company, said it had engaged Clean Gulf Associates to respond to the incident.

On Sunday, Talos will dispatch a team of divers to determine the cause of the spill.

“The US Coast Guard and other state and federal agencies will continue to work closely with Talos to identify the source of the release and coordinate a successful response,” the company said in a statement. “The safety of all employees, as well as the protection of the public and the environment, are the company's top priorities.”

The Coast Guard said it will embark on a recovery and source management plan once the source has been established.

Following Hurricane Ida, environmental officials in Louisiana and the Gulf are responding to dozens of alleged environmental risks.

The Category 4 hurricane was one of the most powerful to ever hit the Gulf Coast of the United States.

Last Sunday, it made landfall in Louisiana, destroying entire communities.