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.