Offshore Incident Update: Parts and Materials Being Sourced to Support Necessary Repairs

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – As Magellan E&P Holdings, owner of the damaged natural gas well continue to work on locating additional parts, materials and equipment to make all necessary repairs and return the rig to normal operation, there has been no substantive change in the status of the operation today.

On Tuesday of this week, 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. They also 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 (TCEQ), several locations are still being monitored for possible airborne contaminants related to the incident and multiple daily samples have not indicated any level of material that requires any action or concern. The Commission’s testing combined with third party contractor monitoring has ensured that the air is being constantly and aggressively monitored on a 24/7 basis.

As repairs are made, the City of Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Magellan E&P, USCG, TCEQ, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) continue to closely supervise the situation and are working together to ensure that there is a constant vigilance on environmental safety and the safety of residents and visitors of the surrounding communities.

Last week, the US Coast Guard (USCG) received a report of white smoke billowing with a loud sound from an unmanned platform. Since then, the plume, made up of natural gas, naturally occurring condensate and water, has significantly diminished to an estimated 5% of its original size.

Out of an abundance of caution, the USCG has extended a Temporary Flight Restriction zone (TFR) 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 the permission of the Coast Guard. Currently, this TFR will remain in effect for the next two weeks. 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.