In the aftermath of a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a 40-year-old worker, the Louisiana State Police (LSP) is looking into the offshore natural gas pipeline explosion and fire to get to the bottom of the incident off the coast of Louisiana, United States. Venture Global, a U.S. producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) sourced from North American basins, has denied responsibility and any involvement with this pipeline after reports surfaced of its alleged association with it.
The Louisiana State Police Emergency Services Unit (ESU), as the primary agency in the state of Louisiana with both the regulatory and statutory authority for hazardous material and explosives, became aware that something was amiss on Saturday, August 17, 2024, when it was informed of an offshore explosion, fire, and report of a missing person in a marsh area near Venice in Plaquemines Parish.
The gas pipeline incident caused the death of Joshua Nichols of Lake Charles. After troopers from the Emergency Services Unit came to the area the following day and started a probe into the events that led to the incident, the preliminary investigation revealed that Nichols was operating a mud boat near a natural gas pipeline.
It is believed that the worker was working on the pipeline when the explosion and fire occurred for reasons that remain subject to the findings of the ongoing investigation. As this explosion killed Nichols, his body was recovered in the area of the incident with the assistance of the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office. The police confirmed that no other individuals were injured.
“The pipelines have been blocked, and one remains on fire, burning the remaining natural gas in the line. Air monitor readings were conducted, and there is no threat to the public. This incident remains under investigation,” highlighted Louisiana State Police.
Following speculation about the pipeline owner and reports that pointed the finger at Venture Global, which is operating the Plaquemines LNG terminal and working on bringing other similar projects online in the area, the U.S. player was adamant that it was not associated with the incident.
“We are aware of media reports about an offshore pipeline event that occurred over an hour away from the Plaquemines LNG facility, and hope for the safety of anyone involved. This pipeline has no affiliation with Plaquemines LNG or any other Venture Global projects,” emphasized Venture Global.
The U.S. firm has two more LNG facilities: Calcasieu Pass in Louisiana’s Cameron Parish, which started producing its first LNG in January 2022, and CP2 LNG . The last one received a positive final environmental impact statement (FEIS) from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in July 2023.
Venture Global made a play a few months ago for a fleet of nine LNG-powered vessels , currently under construction in South Korea, to advance the integration of its business across the entire LNG supply chain.