Progress Advancing at Gas Rig Incident near Bob Hall Pier
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The City of Corpus Christi continues to keep a close eye on the offshore incident involving a Magellan E&P platform located two miles from North Padre Island’s shoreline near Bob Hall Pier. A natural gas plume from the unmanned rig has diminished and a loud hissing noise has nearly been eliminated. A sheen that could be seen on the water near the rig yesterday currently is no longer visible.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) continues monitoring the air quality and assures City leaders there are no hazardous materials being detected in the air, water, or on the beach. There is still no threat to citizens and no action is required by residents.
Wind and surf conditions are preventing a survey team from landing a helicopter on the rig or for boats to approach the platform to investigate the incident. Magellan E&P is bringing in a large vessel from Galveston to repair the rig. The vessel is expected to arrive at the rig by the weekend, weather permitting.
The City of Corpus Christi Nueces County, Magellan E&P, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), TCEQ, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) continue to monitor the incident and say the City – County beaches on Padre Island are safe and pose no danger to the public because of this incident.
Due to safety issues, the company is asking the public to refrain from flying drones over the rig incident area. Citizens are also reminded beach access from the Bob Hall Pier parking lot is temporarily closed for heavy debris removal from Hurricanes Hanna and Laura.