CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Repairs are expected to resume Wednesday on the Magellan E&P-owned natural gas platform located near Bob Hall Pier on North Padre Island.
According to a recent update from the company, a derrick barge, a crane-equipped boat used for repair, is on its way to Port Aransas from Louisiana. All parts and materials necessary for the repair of the rig have been located, purchased and inventoried.
Today, a support boat was loaded with the repair equipment and an extensive variety of replacement parts that will ensure repairs can be made quickly and safely. Once the crane-equipped rig arrives, it will pick up the repair team and the supplies needed to repair the wellhead and transport them to the platform.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Coast Guard responded to a natural gas, condensate and water leak from the offshore rig. No injuries were reported.
Last Tuesday, crews learned that the damage to the wellhead was more extensive than originally anticipated and they would be unable to immediately replace the valve that was leaking.
These crews determined that additional elements of the wellhead would need to be repaired before the replacement could be completed.
According to The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, several locations continue to be aggressively monitored 24/7 for possible airborne contaminants related to the incident and multiple daily samples have yet to indicate any level of material requiring action or concern.
Out of an abundance of caution, the Coast Guard has extended a Temporary Flight Restriction zone for aircraft of any kind including drones that covers one mile around and 500-feet above the platform. In addition, they have established an 800-meter safety zone around the platform which must not be crossed by any vessel without permission of the Coast Guard.
As repairs are made, the City of Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Magellan E&P, USCG, TCEQ, the Texas General Land Office and the Railroad Commission of Texas continue to closely supervise the situation and are working together to ensure there is a constant vigilance on environmental safety and the safety of residents and visitors of the surrounding communities.
