Officials Respond To Release From Well Off The Shore Of Padre Island

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (CBSDFW/AP) — Officials responded Tuesday to a release from a well platform off the shore of Padre Island in Texas and the Coast Guard has a pollution response team on the beach to monitor the situation.

U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman Hailye Reynolds said they received reports that black and white plumes were coming from the platform and that a sound similar to a jet engine was heard.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The water was too rough to get a boat to the platform, so they took a helicopter up to learn more, Reynolds said.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality spokesman Brian McGovern said they received notification of a release of a natural gas condensate from the platform. He said TCEQ has staff en route to conduct air monitoring.

Texas General Land Office spokeswoman Karina Erickson said the well is primarily a natural gas producer, with some oil produced as well. The agency is among those responding.

They have not received any reports of a fire or explosion coming from the well, she said.

The platform is located about 3 miles offshore from Bob Hall Pier on Padre Island.