Leak from Abandoned Gulf of Mexico Platform Sparks Environmental Concerns

An oil spill off the Texas coast has been traced to a leaking flowline riser from an abandoned platform, raising concerns about the risks of idled drilling infrastructure. The leak, initially reported on July 14, continues to emit natural gas and condensate. Environmentalists like the Center for Biological Diversity criticize the ongoing pollution, while state and federal agencies investigate the source and ownership of the leak.

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URL: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-spill-from-abandoned-texas-platform-prompts-environmental-concerns-2023-07-17/
CONTENT: An oil spill off the Texas coast, traced to a leaking flowline riser from an abandoned platform, has raised concerns about the risks of idled drilling infrastructure. The leak, which began on July 14, continues to emit natural gas and condensate into the Gulf of Mexico.

Environmental groups, such as the Center for Biological Diversity, have criticized the ongoing pollution and called for stricter regulations on abandoned offshore platforms. State and federal agencies are investigating the source and ownership of the leak.

The abandoned platform, located approximately 12 miles off the coast of Galveston, was decommissioned in 2020. According to the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), the platform was not in active production at the time of its decommissioning.

The BSEE has stated that it is taking the incident seriously and is working with other agencies to assess the extent of the damage and determine the cause of the leak. The agency has also stated that it will take appropriate action to ensure the safety of the Gulf of Mexico and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

It is important to note that the volume of oil released from the leak is not mentioned in the provided information. However, even small amounts of oil can have significant environmental impacts, particularly in sensitive areas such as the Gulf of Mexico.