After Explosion at Texas Gas Plant, How Much Will Fuel Prices Rise?

An explosion at the Freeport LNG at Quintana Island, Texas has caused area residents to question their safety, and worldwide concern about how the incident will affect fuel prices.

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The explosion was caused by a fire in the terminal's liquefaction delivery system, according to an incident report filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Freeport LNG Explosion

The good news: no injuries were reported after the incident at the Brazoria County oil and gas export facility, according to KHOU. The Surfside Police Department described it as a 'small explosion'.

The area has been secured, all the employees have been accounted for, and the company says there is no danger or concern to the community in the surrounding area. Due to the fire, the company said the facility will remain shut down for a minimum of three weeks. The beach has been evacuated as a precaution, but there is no shelter in place or evacuation measures required for nearby residents.

Surfside Area Reacts to 'Small' Explosion

Will the Freeport Explosion Affect Gas Prices?

The short answer: yes. European gas prices have gone up 40 percent since the explosion, according to Markets Insider. Since the Texas Gulf Coast plant will be closed for at least three weeks due to the explosion, this will increase the risk of shortages, especially overseas, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, Spectrum News says natural gas prices are falling in the United States. Normally, Freeport LNG exports about 2 billion cubic feet of liquefied natural gas per day, about 15% of the nation's LNG exports.