The Coast Guard reported Wednesday that weather conditions are still not permitting repairs of a leak at a natural gas platform offshore of Corpus Christi, but the leak has greatly diminished on its own. The platform is unmanned and produces natural gas, condensate and water.
The leak was reported by Tuesday and was making a visible release. Coast Guard officials said by Wednesday the release was no longer visible.
The leak is believed to be just at 5% of where it was on Tuesday, and the environmental impact has diminished, according to a Coast Guard official.
The Coast Guard received a report of white smoke billowing with a loud and consistent jet engine-like sound from a Magellan E&P-owned platform three miles from Bob Hall Pier.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter with Coast Guard and Texas General Land Office personnel aboard flew over the platform to inspect it.
The Coast Guard issued a safety zone around the platform, establishing a 1,000-foot perimeter.
A pollution response team and TGLO responders remain stationed onshore near Bob Hall Pier to monitor for potential pollution.
Magellan E&P activated Witt O’Brien’s, a risk management and emergency response company, for its response management and coordination.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality continues air monitoring near Bob Hall Pier and are currently reporting virtually no traces of methane.
The Texas Railroad Commission will oversee response to the natural gas release and repairs to the platform.
Brian Kirkpatrick can be reached at Brian@TPR.org and on Twitter at @TPRBrian.TPR was founded by and is supported by our community. If you value our commitment to the highest standards of responsible journalism and are able to do so, please consider making your gift of support today.
Copyright 2020 Texas Public Radio. To see more, visit .