3,800 gallons of crude oil spills into Corpus Christi Bay due to cracked pipeline

So far, no wildlife has been impacted

Up to 3,800 gallons of light crude oil flowed into the Corpus Christi Bay over the weekend due to a cracked pipeline.

The Coast Guard said they responded to the spill after someone filed a report at 11 p.m. near the Flint Hills Ingleside facility in the La Quinta Channel.

According to a news release, the pipeline cracked in multiple places. The spill covered an area that was approximately 300 by 20 yards.

So far, no wildlife has been impacted but the oil reached the shore of the Spoil Islands. The investigation into environmental damage is ongoing.

“The source of the discharge has been secured and responders from Miller Environmental Services have deployed more than 1,500 feet of boom to contain and absorb the oil product,” the release states.

The Coast Guard closed the channel to traffic due to the clean up, and a safety zone in the ship channel has been placed.

The Coast Guard, the Texas General Land Office, the Port of Corpus Christi, the Port of Corpus Christi Harbormaster’s Office, the Corpus Christi Area Oil Spill Control Association, Miller Environmental Services, USA DeBusk and Horizon Environmental are monitoring the spill.

Boom contains an oil spill in the La Quinta Channel in Corpus Christi Bay, Texas, Dec. 25, 2022. Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi pollution responders estimated up to 3,800 gallons of light crude oil entered the water from a cracked pipeline near the Flint Hills Ingleside facility. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephen McConnell) (USCG)

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About the Author

Rebecca Salinas is an award-winning digital journalist who joined KSAT in 2019. She reports on a variety of topics for KSAT 12 News.

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