Victoria Office of Emergency Management

VICTORIA COUNTY, TEXAS (News Release) – The Victoria Office of Emergency Management is aware of the accidental release of crude oil in Victoria County, as well as initial claims of it containing hydrogen sulfide (H2S). This was first reported by the Goliad County Emergency Management.

However, neither air monitoring tests nor the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) have indicated the presence of H2S in the crude oil release.

According to a National Response Center (NRC) incident report, an incident occurred at Shamrock Products, LLC, a tenant and private terminal at the Port of Victoria, that resulted in the release of crude oil on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m.

The incident was not immediately reported to local officials in Victoria. Some residents reported strong odors throughout the region and various local and state agencies actively began conducting air quality tests throughout a seven-county area. It was through an anonymous call on the evening of January 4, 2024, that the Victoria Office of Emergency Management received information related to the accidental release of crude oil at Shamrock Products, LLC.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is the lead agency investigating and overseeing the cleanup response of the release, including continuing to monitor for contaminants.

Based on the NRC report, there is no need for residents to take any precautions or shelter in place at this time. However, if you are in the affected area and are experiencing dizziness, headache, nausea, or other respiratory symptoms consistent with exposure to crude oil, contact your primary health care provider or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

The Victoria Office of Emergency Management is actively working with the state and federal officials overseeing the response and recovery and will provide updates as information becomes available.

For more information, visit the TCEQ website at https://www.tceq.texas.gov/.