By Ron Howells • Published: 03 Jul 2021 • 10:08
A gas pipeline leak in the Gulf of Mexico has set the ocean ‘on fire’ as balls of flames erupt as rescue vessels rush to the scene.
THE Gulf of Mexico was engulfed in flames after a huge fire was triggered by a leak from an underwater pipeline that sent flames rushing to the surface creating spectacular images caught by a rescue helicopter that risked certain danger to capture the video.
Bright orange flames, described on social media as an “eye of fire” due to their circular shape, were seen burning on the surface close to a state-owned oil drilling platform located west of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.
Upon picking the alert up from their maritime radio alarm systems, a number of boats rushed to the scene in a desperate attempt to smother the flames.
State oil company Pemex confirmed the fire was fully extinguished after more than five hours. It is understood that the huge blaze began in an underwater pipeline connecting to a platform at the firm’s flagship Ku Maloob Zaap oil development.
Video courtesy @Phil_Lewis
Having to put out a fire in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico feels just too difficult to believe and yet pic.twitter.com/8OFNNiKyrj — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 2, 2021
Having to put out a fire in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico feels just too difficult to believe and yet pic.twitter.com/8OFNNiKyrj
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 2, 2021
Pemex said no injuries were reported, and production from the project was not affected after the gas leak ignited around 5:15 a.m. local time. It was completely extinguished by 10:30 a.m. The company added it would investigate the cause of the fire.
Pemex, which has a long record of major industrial accidents at its facilities, added it also shut the valves of the 12-inch-diameter pipeline.
“The turbomachinery of Ku Maloob Zaap’s active production facilities were affected by an electrical storm and heavy rains,” according to a Pemex incident report shared by one of Reuters’ sources.
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Ron actually started his working career as an Ophthalmic Technician- things changed when, during a band rehearsal, his amplifier blew up and he couldn’t get it fixed so he took a course at Birmingham University and ended up doing a degree course. He built up a chain of electronics stores and sold them as a franchise over 35 years ago. After five years touring the world Ron decided to move to Spain with his wife and son, a place they had visited over the years, and only bought the villa they live in because it has a guitar-shaped swimming pool!. Playing the guitar since the age of 7, he can often be seen, (and heard!) at beach bars and clubs along the length of the coast. He has always been interested in the news and constantly thrives to present his articles in an interesting and engaging way.
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