A pipeline rupture in Bastrop County, Texas spilled an estimated 50,000 gallons of crude oil and incited an emergency evacuation Thursday morning, July 13^th.

A contractor of Magellan Midstream Partners was performing pipeline maintenance duties when the Longhorn Pipeline was accidentally punctured.

Although no injuries were reported, approximately 15 residences in the nearby vicinity were evacuated for safety precautions. Evacuees were sent to a local church in Bastrop.

Following the spill, a local roadway closed to traffic and is expected to remain closed until late Friday.

The company stated cleanup operations are underway, but it is not clear how long the pipeline is out of service. If the pipeline is shut down for a considerable period, it could have an immense impact on the availability of crude oil. The Longhorn Pipeline transports crude oil from the prolific Permian Basin shale of West Texas to a major refining and export center in Houston, Texas.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration responded to the incident and is investigating the case.

The Railroad Commission of Texas, the state’s oil and gas regulator, likewise had an investigator at the scene, and will oversee the spill containment and cleanup.

For more information, visit http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/eagle-ford-energy/article/Pipeline-rupture-spills-50-000-gallons-of-Permian-11286893.php

According to the Pipeline Safety Trust, pipeline failures and accidents can be quite common. There are about two pipeline incidents every day. Maintaining millions of miles of pipelines can be an arduous task for federal and state regulators. Your home could be located near a pipeline, and you might not realize it until a pipeline incident occurs. 

Is your property within a pipeline evacuation zone? Find out today with an Impact Check Property Impact Report.

Photo Credit - The American Energy News 

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