If the cap on the Deepwater Horizon wellhead holds, South Florida, the Florida Keys, and the East Coast are not likely to experience any effects from the remaining oil on the surface of the Gulf, according to a NOAA report issued Friday. 'For southern Florida, the Florida Keys, and the Eastern Seaboard, the coast remains clear,' said NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco. 'With the flow stopped and the loop current a considerable distance away, the light sheen remaining on the Gulf's surface will continue to biodegrade and disperse, but will not travel far.' A large loop current eddy, called Eddy Franklin, has pinched off and detached from the loop current. As of July 25, Eddy Franklin was more than 100 miles from the nearest surface oil. 'Until the loop current fully reforms, there is no clear way for oil to be transported to southern Florida or beyond which is not projected to occur for several months,' according to the NOAA press release. 'At that point, essentially all of the remaining surface oil will have dissipated.' Christine Stapleton writes for The Palm Beach Post. E-mail: christine(underscore)stapleton@pbpost.com. 