1 dead in gas accident on offshore La. platform

NEW ORLEANS — A contractor was killed and two others were injured Saturday during maintenance on a Chevron natural gas pipeline off the Louisiana coast, authorities said.

The contractor, whose name was not immediately released, was among four maintenance workers on the platform when the accident occurred about 11:10 a.m. Saturday, said Gareth Johnstone, a spokesman for Chevron Pipe Line Co. He said the two other workers were taken to a hospital for what are expected to be minor injuries.

A helicopter brought two people from offshore to meet an ambulance, but both declined to take the ambulance to a hospital after being checked by medics, said Randall Ansley, shift supervisor for Acadian Ambulance.

Johnstone said he did not know what caused the death and injuries.

The platform is part of a natural gas gathering system and the pipeline was shut-in after the accident, Johnstone said.

He said the cause of the accident was being investigated.

Johnstone said a small amount of natural gas condensate was released into the water, but dissipated. Natural gas is being released at the platform to relieve pressure on the line owned by Chevron Midstream Pipeline LLC. Johnstone said containment crews were headed to the platform.

He said he did not know whether the initial release of gas was under water or at the pipeline level.

Col. Mike Edmonson, superintendent of Louisiana State Police, said Chevron reported the accident to the state about 2 p.m. Saturday.

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