A massive fuel storage tank on the banks of the Mobile River was overfilled Wednesday, releasing heavy fuel oil into the river.

Coast Guard officials said the incident was a failure in the fuel transfer process.

Houston-based Gulf Coast Asphalt Co., routinely loads and unloads products from barges into large storage tanks at its facility on the Cochrane Causeway.

Initial reports indicate some 275,000 gallons of oil had been released, but the figure cold be less.

-Staff Reports