On March 9, at about 9:26 AM, the EPA was notified of a release of roughly 100 barrels of crude oil from an underground pipeline in Port Neches, Jefferson County, Texas. Further investigation confirmed the oil came from a Total Energy pipeline. The oil was found near a drainage ditch that leads to the Atlantic Canal and eventually the Neches River, though oil had not entered the ditch at the time EPA arrived.
EPA has deployed a Federal On‑Scene Coordinator and the START contractor to oversee response operations. Crews are working around the clock using vacuum trucks, boom, and earthen berms to contain and recover the oil. The Responsible Party’s contractors are also performing cleanup and community air monitoring. EPA is coordinating closely with the Texas Railroad Commission, Texas General Land Office, and other state and local responders.
