Chevron LPG pipeline explodes in rural Texas

Chevron initiated emergency response procedures after a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipeline exploded Thursday near the rural town of Milford, Texas.

The explosion led to flames shooting high into the air and prompted some people to evacuate. However, no injuries were reported, according to Chevron and local emergency officials.

The explosion was caused by a construction crew that accidentally drilled into a 10-inch liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) line, Tom Hemrick, director of Hill County Emergency Management, told KTVT-TV in Dallas. He said all workers were accounted for.

"The fire is definitely getting smaller," Hemrick said, as quoted by news agency Reuters.

Milford has a population of 700 people and is located about 50 miles south of Dallas.

Another 14-inch line runs a few feet from the pipeline that exploded. Chevron was still flowing product through that line because stopping it would increase the risk of a second explosion," Hemrick said.

"It is still flowing because the flow cools the line," Hemrick said..

Texas state regulators said the pipeline that exploded was part of the West Texas LPG Pipeline Ltd. Partnership, a 2,295-mile common-carrier pipeline system that transports natural gas liquids (NGLs) from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu, Texas, for processing.

Chevron owns 80% of the pipeline system and Atlas Pipeline Partners has a 20% stake.