American gas giant Williams Cos. says its pipeline was source of chemical leak during Harvey

Gas leak occurred as a consequence of Hurricane Harvey. Thomas B. Shea - AFP/Getty Images

Oklahoma’s Williams Cos. says it was its pipeline that leaked dangerous chemicals Monday at La Porte and triggered an emergency shelter-in-place warning amid floodwaters.

The leak was stopped Monday evening by emergency personnel. No injuries were reported after residents of La Porte, Shoreacres and Baytown were warned to close their windows and turn off their air conditioning. The Fred Hartman Bridge was closed over the Houston Ship Channel but has since reopened.

Williams Cos. said it will investigate the cause of the accident. The chemical that leaked just north of the interchange between Texas 225 and Texas 146 was anhydrous hydrogen chloride, “which presents symptoms of eye, throat, and nasal irritation,” according to a statement issued by the city of La Porte.

A federal safety guide identifies hydrogen chloride as a corrosive poison gas that “can cause serious or permanent injury.” The guide describes the chemical as a “colorless gas with a sharp, pungent odor.” The nonflammable substance is part of the manufacturing process for “rubber, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and in gasoline refining and metals processing.”

The Tulsa-based Williams pipeline giant said the leak occurred at an “instrumentation rack” along a 14.5 mile pipeline system of 18-inch pipe that transports anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas.

“Williams appreciates the quick and professional response provided by local emergency responders to this situation. Williams will review the incident to determine its cause,” the pipeline company said in a prepared statement.

This first appeared on the Houston Chronicle – an Energy Voice content partner. For more click here.