A Texas contractor has filed a lawsuit seeking over $1 million in damages after a February 3, 2026, pipeline explosion in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, linked to Delfin LNG project infrastructure. Laman Gutierrez, a Texas resident working at the site during the incident, filed the lawsuit in Harris County District Court. The complaint names Delfin LNG–related entities and pipeline affiliates, alleging negligence and gross negligence related to the explosion.
Incident Overview
According to federal regulators, the explosion occurred during maintenance on an existing natural gas pipeline being prepared for future service connected to the Delfin LNG export project. The pipeline itself was not yet part of active LNG export operations.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a Corrective Action Order stating that the failure appears to have involved a cleaning pig impacting a closed valve. PHMSA described the event as a rupture that released approximately 56 million cubic feet of natural gas. The gas ignited, causing a fire that burned for several hours.
PHMSA emphasized that its findings are preliminary and remain subject to further investigation.
Injury Claims
Initial local emergency reports described one person as injured with what authorities called minor injuries. However, in the civil complaint, Gutierrez alleges he suffered severe and lasting injuries from the explosion.
The lawsuit claims he was inside or near a vehicle that caught fire during the blast. The complaint seeks damages for medical expenses and lost wages. The lawsuit claims he was inside or near a vehicle that caught fire during the blast. It seeks damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and other losses exceeding $1 million.cal findings have been publicly released.
Allegations in the Lawsuit
The complaint alleges that the defendants failed to ensure the pipeline was safe prior to conducting pigging operations. Specifically, the complaint alleges the defendants failed to ensure the pipeline was safe before pigging operations. It claims inadequate hazard identification, failure to verify the pipeline was free of flammable vapor, insufficient safety procedures, and inadequate supervision and training. It has not issued a public statement responding to the lawsuit. No admission of fault has been made by the company.
Federal Regulatory Action
After the explosion, PHMSA required the pipeline operator to submit a corrective action plan, conduct integrity testing, and address safety measures before resuming certain operations. The investigation remains ongoing, and final determinations regarding cause or regulatory violations have not yet been made.
Delfin LNG Project Context
The pipeline involved is part of a broader infrastructure linked to the proposed Delfin LNG deepwater export project off the Louisiana coast. The pipeline is part of broader infrastructure linked to the proposed Delfin LNG deepwater export project off the Louisiana coast. Prior filings describe the project as having a planned production capacity of up to 13.2 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas annually across multiple floating LNG vessels. on a legacy pipeline intended to support future operations.
The project has previously announced engineering and construction agreements for floating LNG vessels, but the final investment decision timeline has changed and remains subject to market and regulatory conditions.ce operations. While industrial accidents are not uncommon in large-scale infrastructure projects, courts closely examine whether operators followed required safety standards and federal pipeline regulations.
From an industry standpoint, recommissioning older or dormant pipelines requires strict verification processes. Pigging operations, particularly the recommissioning of older or dormant pipelines, require strict verification processes. Pigging operations demand accurate valve configuration and pressure control. If preliminary findings are confirmed, this case may prompt closer operational audits across similar projects. Regulatory compliance alone is not enough if field-level controls fail.
The lawsuit will now proceed through the Texas court system, while PHMSA continues its federal investigation. Further findings could shape both the legal outcome and future oversight of LNG-related pipeline operations.
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