Fatal Explosion on Offshore Gas Pipeline Near Louisiana

A tragic explosion occurred on Saturday night on an offshore natural gas pipeline close to Venice, Louisiana, resulting in the death of one individual, as confirmed by the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday. The pipeline, which is operated by Whitney Oil and Gas, was involved in the incident.

According to a statement released by Louisiana State Police on Monday, “The explosion resulted in the death of 40-year-old Joshua Nichols of Lake Charles … The pipelines have been blocked, and one remains on fire, burning the remaining natural gas in the line.”

Preliminary findings suggest that Nichols, who was working as a contractor for Petroleum Co-Ordinators Inc., was operating a mud boat near the pipeline when an explosion occurred, leading to a fire. The exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

The U.S. Coast Guard further detailed that their Sector New Orleans watchstanders received reports of the explosion and subsequent fire on Saturday evening in the South Pass area of Louisiana. They immediately deployed a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Venice and an aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans to conduct search and rescue operations.

Image credit: Oilprice