LNG Traffic Blocked from Two Gulf Coast Waterways After Oil Rig Sinks Near Sabine Pass

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels and other deep draft traffic are currently blocked from entering two major Gulf Coast waterways after an oil rig sank Saturday in the Sabine Bank Channel and a barge remains submerged in the Calcasieu Ship Channel.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said the large semi-submersible “Jasminia” rig drifted into the Sabine Bank Channel near gated buoys 17 and 18, preventing vessels with drafts greater than 32 feet from safely transiting the waterway. The rig’s owner has initiated response efforts, and personnel are on board the rig conducting an assessment, according to the USCG. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also are on site surveying the area immediately adjacent to the ship channel to determine if deeper draft vessels may be able to safely pass...