NGL Pipeline Portion Shuts as Fire Continues at Energy Transfer's La Porte Pipeline

A fire that took place on Monday morning, at Energy Transfer’s natural gas liquid (NGL) pipeline in La Porte, Texas, continued on Tuesday, leading to widespread power outages affecting businesses and homes. The fire occurred at a valve station on a 20-inch pipeline transporting NGLs, used in petrochemical processes, heating, and cooking.

Local media and the City of La Porte said that the fire started around 9:55 AM CDT on Monday on Spencer Highway, close to East Boulevard. Energy Transfer confirmed no serious injuries, and the pipeline was isolated by midday to allow the residual gas to burn off safely.

The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC), which regulates the state's oil and gas industry, stated that inspectors were on-site but would begin their investigation once the area was deemed safe by emergency personnel. Energy Transfer was still engaged in "blowdown" operations to release the remaining gas from the pipeline, which was expected to continue until later Tuesday afternoon.

In response, the company provided temporary accommodations for affected residents at local hotels, a measure that would remain until evacuation orders were lifted. The evacuation area initially covered a half-mile radius but was later reduced to include 941 addresses. Despite early estimates that the fire would be extinguished within hours, it persisted into Tuesday, with Energy Transfer unable to provide an exact timeline for when the burn-off of residual products would be complete.

On Monday, Local news stations shared footage of massive flames towering near streets and businesses. While the fire appeared contained, it continued to blaze throughout Tuesday. Energy Transfer also acknowledged reports suggesting that an unknown vehicle had entered the pipeline’s right-of-way and struck the valve station, which may have been a contributing factor to the incident. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding this vehicle and its role in the fire as they work to determine the cause and assess the full extent of the damage.

"When it is safe to do so, our electric crews will go into the area to assess the damage to our transmission and distribution power lines, poles and equipment and begin restoring service to impacted customers as safely and quickly as possible," the company said on Monday.

The situation has garnered significant attention, given the scale of the fire and the impact on local communities. Energy Transfer remains in close contact with authorities and the public, continuing efforts to manage the fire, mitigate further risks, and ensure the safety of those affected by the evacuation. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations progress and containment efforts advance.