An abandoned oil platform near Galveston leaked miles of oil into the Gulf of Mexico following Hurricane Beryl's winds.
Amanda Drane reports for Houston Chronicle.
In short:
- A rusted oil platform off the Bolivar Peninsula leaked natural gas, saltwater, and hydrocarbons, creating a miles-long oil sheen.
- The Texas General Land Office is investigating the leak, which worsened after Hurricane Beryl’s 60 mph winds.
- Fish spawning in the area are at risk due to exposure to hydrocarbons on the water surface.
Key quote:
"Any time you wiggle old, rusty pipes it doesn’t help."
— Buddy Guindon, Katie’s Seafood Market owner
Why this matters:
Oil leaks harm marine life, particularly young fish that are vulnerable during spawning. The incident illustrates the risks posed by decaying offshore infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico.
