UPDATE 6: NEW ORLEANS PIPELINE FIRE

UPDATE 6: Assisting agencies complete purging operations.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard and assisting agencies have completed purging operations of the pipeline fire near Bayou Perot, Monday.

After extensive shoreline assessments and subsequent actions the unified command of the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, Settoon Towing, Chevron and the Coast Guard have deemed there is no threat of fire or explosions at this time. The emergency response phase has concluded. Agencies will continue to monitor for any environmental impacts from this incident while developing a salvage plan to remove the tug from the bayou and make repairs to the pipeline.

No oil was spilled during this incident. During the course of the response, 12,800 feet of boom was deployed to contain any possible spills that might have happened during the course of the response.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received notification March 12 at 6 p.m., reporting that an allision between a tug pushing a barge and a pipeline resulting fire near Bayou Perot 30 miles south of New Orleans.

There were no impacts to wildlife reported. The four crewmembers evacuated the motor vessel Shannon E. Settoon, and the captain was reported to have suffered second to third-degree burns.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.

UPDATE 4: Salvage And Firefighting Operations Continue

NEW ORLEANS — Response operations continue for a tug and barge that collided with a pipeline near Bayou Perot 30 miles south of New Orleans Friday.

Chevron has begun flaring the pipeline.  As the amount of liquid petroleum gas remaining in the pipeline dwindles, it is predicted that the size, color and smoke amount may fluctuate. This controlled burn will clear the line of the residual liquid petroleum gas.  Constant air monitoring is being conducted for the site.

Personnel from T&T Salvage were able to separate the tank barge from the tug wreckage in an operation late Thursday afternoon. The Todd Michael spud barge is on scene for cooling operations.

Responders continue to monitor and ensure the integrity of the barge is maintained to allow for safe salvage operations as soon as the fire is extinguished.

The Coast Guard has placed temporary flight restrictions over the airspace near the Shannon E. Settoon barge at and below 5,000 feet within approximately a one-mile radius. Responders have deployed 10,400 feet of boom around the tank barge to contain any possible pollution risks.

The unified command consists of the U.S. Coast Guard, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, Settoon Towing and Chevron. Contracting organizations include ES&H, CTEC Air Monitoring, T&T Salvage and Resolve Marine.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.

UPDATE 3: Coast Guard Responds To Collision, Pipeline Fire South Of New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS — Response operations continue for a tug and barge that collided with a pipeline near Bayou Perot 30 miles south of New Orleans Thursday.

The Coast Guard is conducting a full investigation of the incident to determine the cause of the incident. No conclusions have been drawn at this time.

Personnel from T&T Salvage aboard the Todd Michael spud barge are on scene for cooling operations of the tank barge. The fire remains stabilized.

Responders continue to monitor and ensure the integrity of the barge is maintained to allow for safe salvage operations as soon as the fire is extinguished.

The Coast Guard has placed temporary flight restrictions over the airspace near the Shannon E. Settoon barge at and below 5,000 feet within approximately a one-mile radius. Responders have deployed 10,400 feet of boom around the tank barge to contain any possible pollution risks.

A Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew is currently conducting an overflight assessment of the pipeline fire and is reporting the condition of the tug and barge to the unified command.

Approximately 2,200 barrels of crude oil remain on board the barge and have not been compromised.

There are approximately 40 response personnel on scene.

Resources deployed for the incident:

The 160-foot Coast Guard Cutter Axe and crew;

Twenty-thousand feet of containment boom on scene;

Two Marco skimmers;

Ten response vessels;

Two oil spill response trailers.

The unified command consists of the U.S. Coast Guard, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, Settoon Towing and Chevron. Contracting organizations include ES&H, CTEC Air Monitoring, T&T Salvage and Resolve Marine.

New Orleans Pipeline Fire Update With New Video

NEW ORLEANS — Responders continued to monitor and prepare salvage, firefighting and pollution contingencies for a tug and barge that collided with a pipeline near Bayou Perot 30 miles south of New Orleans Wednesday.

The fire reportedly has reduced in size by approximately 30 percent, and there are no reports of oil in the water. Visual imagery intially indicated potential pockets of crude oil; however, those areas have been determined to be particulate ash from the liquefied natural gas burn off.

Approximately 2,200 barrels of crude oil remain on board the barge and has not been compromised.

A staging area has been established at the C & M Fuel Dock.

The Coast Guard Gulf Strike Team have arrived on scene and are underway to check spill trajectory.

There are approximately 40 response personnel on scene.

Resources deployed for the incident:

The 160-foot Coast Guard Cutter Axe and crew;

Two sections of containment boom, 6,000 feet and 7,000 feet;

Two Marco skimmers;

Ten response vessels;

Two oil spill response trailers.

The unified command consists of the U.S. Coast Guard, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator's Office, Settoon Towing, Jefferson and Lafourche Parishes, Chevron and ES&H.

The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the incident.