Texas propane pipeline blast restricts ship traffic at Corpus Christi port

HOUSTON (ICIS)–A pipeline explosion has restricted ship traffic at the port of Corpus Christi, it said on Friday.

A safety zone has been imposed from the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Inner Harbor Bridge to the Viola Turning Basin, the port said. No vessels may enter the safety zone without permission from the US Coast Guard.

The explosion happened after 800 hours Corpus Christi time (1300 GMT) after a dredging vessel hit a submerged pipeline, the US Coast Guard said.

The pipeline carries propane, according to the Corpus Christi Fire Department.

Enterprise Products said the barge hit its South Texas pipeline system. It has since isolated the segment of the pipeline affected by the accident.

The fire department said residual fuel is burning, and the fire is almost out.

The Coast Guard said two people were rescued from the vessel and taken to the hospital. Four are missing.

Corpus Christi is a major refining centre and shipment hub for fuel, oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Additional reporting by Michael Sims and Anna Matherne

Thumbnail image shows the pipeline fire. Photo by US Coast Guard