S. La. Methane Blowout, Unified Command Takes Control

A “natural gas” well blew out of control Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana’s coast requiring forty-four workers to be rescued and Unified Command to be set up.

In what seems to be never-ending methane gas leaks in the south Louisiana region since BP’s April 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil catastrophe, another gas well has blown close to shore, this one owned by Hercules Offshore Inc.

The blowout occurred approximately 40 miles south and 10 to 15 miles west of Grand Isle, according to the Coast Guard.

It occurred in 154 feet of water.

More aggressive action than usual might be required to shut down the blown out well, according to Jim Noe, a Hercules executive. 

Unified Command has been established in Houma, Louisiana.

Experts were expected to arrive at the site Tuesday evening to assess the situation and develop a plan.

Authorities say 44 workers were evacuated without injury via two life boats when the gas blowout happened Tuesday morning at 9:50 a.m. on Hercules Platform No. 265.

While Hercules Offshore owns the platform, Jefferson Parish Emergency Management officials said Walter Oil and Gas company was conducting drilling when the incident occurred.

Methane began “working its way to the surface as crews were in the process of pumping mud.” according to WDSU.

The Federal Aviation Administration has posted flight restrictions for the immediate area, so media information provided to the public is dependent on the petrochemical-military-industrial-complex.

The area of the blow out is between the still leaking BP-wrecked Macondo Prospect well and the Louisiana’s monster sinkhole, that has been spewing methane further inland into bayous and swampland for a year.

Earlier this month, a well owned by a subsidiary of Houston-based Talos Energy leaked methane into the
Gulf four days before responders “plugged the leak and permanently sealed the well with cement.”

Sources: WBRZ, WDSU

Photo Credit: WDSU

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Reporter, author and human rights professional for over 30 years, Deborah Dupré tells shocking truths about the Gulf of Mexico In her book,“VAMPIRE of MACONDO: Life, Crimes and Curses in South Louisiana that Powerful Forces Don’t Want You to Know.” In “Vampire of Macondo,” Dupré exposes covered-up facts and victims’ gut-wrenching stories about the 2010 BP/government Gulf oil catastrophe, a continuing humanitarian and environmental historical event.
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