Ship to Assist on Natural Gas Rig Repairs
There has been more progress today involving an unmanned natural gas rig located two miles from North Padre Island’s shoreline near Bob Hall Pier.
Press Release
There has been more progress today involving an unmanned natural gas rig located two miles from North Padre Island’s shoreline near Bob Hall Pier. The owner of the platform Magellan E&P said the natural gas, water and naturally occurring condensate plume has diminished to only an estimated 5% of what it was originally on Tuesday and the loud hissing noise continues to be nearly eliminated.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) reports a greater number of air monitors set up at key locations throughout the area have not detected any level of hazardous materials in the air. Additionally, the ocean and beaches continue to remain safe. There is no threat to citizens and no action is required by residents.
A ship is on its way to Port Aransas from Galveston to pick up a well control team and equipment to make repairs this weekend. Personnel will use sonar to scan the ocean floor around the platform to make sure it can safely accommodate the vessel, equipment and workers. Once security has been confirmed, equipment will be hoisted onto the rig and the valve repairs will begin.
The City of Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Magellan E&P, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), TCEQ, the Texas General Land Office (TGLO) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) continue to monitor the incident and say the City – County beaches on Padre Island are safe and there remains no danger to the public.
Out of an abundance of caution, the USCG has established a Temporary Flight Restriction zone (TFR) for aircraft of any kind including drones that extends one mile around and 500-feet above the platform. In addition, they have identified an 800-meter safety zone around the platform which must not be crossed by any vessel without the permission of the Coast Guard. Due to safety issues, the company is asking the public not to fly any drones over the area. Citizens are also reminded beach access from the Bob Hall Pier parking lot is temporarily closed by Nueces County for heavy equipment to conduct debris removal from Hurricane Hanna.
On Tuesday, the Coast Guard responded to a natural gas, condensate and water leak from the unmanned offshore natural gas production platform. No injuries were reported. The cause of the leak will be identified as soon as repair personnel can board the platform – weather and water conditions have prevented access since the start of the incident.
Several State Agencies Monitor Offshore Leak Near Bob Hall Pier
According to the Coast Guard, they received a report early Tuesday morning of white smoke billowing with a loud sound from an unmanned Magellan E&P owned platform.
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI The City of Corpus Christi along with several agencies including Nueces County, Magellan E&P, the United States Coast Guard, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) are closely monitoring a natural gas, condensate and water leak from an offshore rig two miles from North Padre Island’s shoreline near Bob Hall Pier.
According to the Coast Guard, they received a report early Tuesday morning of white smoke billowing with a loud sound from an unmanned Magellan E&P owned platform.
No one was injured and currently, no action is required from residents. TCEQ is currently monitoring the air quality and assure City leaders that there is no threat to residents.
TCEQ will continue monitoring the area overnight and a survey crew is expected to inspect the platform tomorrow (Wednesday) as long as weather conditions allow it.
The City wants to remind residents that no action is needed, and we will continue to update citizens on this event. For the latest updates and information, visit news.cctexas.com.