On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, a significant gas leak from a barge docked at the Targa Resources facility in Galena Park, Texas, led to the temporary closure of the Houston Ship Channel. The incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. local time when a valve malfunction on a barge owned by Kirby Inland Marine resulted in the release of butadiene gas—a colorless, highly flammable substance used in the production of plastics and synthetic rubber.
Emergency response teams, including a Port Houston EMS Fireboat, were promptly dispatched to contain the leak. Air quality monitoring was conducted by Harris County Pollution Control, which confirmed that there was no off-site impact or threat to the surrounding community. As a precaution, the Houston Ship Channel was closed to vessel traffic during the response efforts.
By 10:00 p.m., the vapor release had been successfully halted, and the barge was relocated to a secure location for further evaluation. The U.S. Coast Guard reopened the Houston Ship Channel around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. No injuries were reported, and no shelter-in-place orders were issued during the incident.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the exact cause of the valve failure. Kirby Inland Marine is cooperating with the U.S. Coast Guard to assess the situation and implement necessary safety measures.
This incident highlights the importance of stringent safety protocols and rapid emergency response in managing industrial accidents, especially in areas with significant maritime and community activity.
