Offshore Incident Update: Parts for Repair Sourcing Continues, Change to Daily Updating Practices

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Engineers working on a plan to repair the Magellan E&P owned platform report today continued success with the sourcing of parts, materials and equipment necessary to complete all repairs. Completion of the sourcing process is expected to be announced shortly. There has been no substantial change to the status of the operation, and the monitoring of possible contaminants related to the incident continues to indicate no cause for concern or action. Moving forward, the City of Corpus Christi will send updates when there is significant news concerning the ongoing repair project or if the ongoing environmental monitoring identifies any change in conditions or raises any concerns.

On Tuesday, crews discovered that damage to the wellhead was more extensive than 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. Air continues being aggressively monitored on a 24/7 basis.

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.

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.

The City of Corpus Christi will continue updating the community. Stay informed with the City’s social channels on Facebook @citygov, Twitter @cityofcc, or visit www.news.cctexas.com.