Gas leak in Bauhinia Queensland: Massive flames seen as serious pipeline rupture threaten operation of coal and gas power stations
A huge fire due to a rupture in the gas pipeline threatens to shut down the activities of a number of gas and coal-fired power stations.
Emergency services were first called to the leak in Bauhinia, central Queensland, about 8.30am on Tuesday.
Firefighters and paramedics remained on scene throughout the day as the fire continued to burn. No one was injured.
Images of the breach show a massive fire stretching about twice as high as nearby trees.
The 627 kilometer line will transport as much as 145 terajoules of gas from the Wallumbilla gas hub to major industrial users in Gladstone and Rockhampton.
A massive fire caused by a gas pipeline rupture threatens to halt operations at a number of gas and coal-fired power stations in Queensland (pictured)
The break has instead led to the line being cut further upstream to contain the fire and has completely cut off the supply to Gladstone.
The plant closest to the breach is a scraping station in neighboring Oombabeer, but could also affect numerous other facilities such as Rollerstone.
Numerous industrial factories are also connected to the gas pipeline as it approaches Gladstone and Rockhampton.
The line cuts could also impact a number of industrial plants including: Queensland Nitrates, Queensland Magnesia Facility, Queensland Alumina Limited Refinery, Boyne Smelters, Rio Tinto Yarwun Refinery and Orica Yarwun.
A spokesperson for Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) told Daily Mail Australia it was “working closely with QFES to monitor the situation”.
‘An RSHQ inspector is now on site to assess the situation and an investigation has been launched.
“The route has been isolated and the incident is under control.”
The breach threatens to have major consequences for industrial plants in Gladstone, such as the Rio Tinto Yarwun refinery (pictured), and for a limited number of homes.
The company that manages the pipeline in Australia, Jemena, confirmed that the rupture could also have consequences for housing supply.
A statement from the company also confirmed that an exclusion zone has been established around the fault.
“We are currently working to understand the impact of the incident on our customers and other stakeholders,” the release said.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused to those who may be affected by this incident.
“Our current focus is on ensuring the safety of the site, the community and our staff.
‘Then we will start developing our recovery plan.’
More to come.