Sulphur, Louisiana - A spill of drilling mud temporarily shut down a section of Highway 27 near High Hope Road in Sulphur on Wednesday, July 23, causing travel disruptions as emergency crews and contractors worked into the night to ensure road safety.

The incident began around 8:54 p.m., when Ward 6 Fire Department responded to reports of a substance creating hazardous driving conditions at the intersection of Highway 27 and High Hope Road. Upon arrival, responders confirmed that a large quantity of drilling mud, a fluid commonly used in pipeline and drilling projects to lubricate and cool equipment, had been accidentally released onto the roadway. Officials verified that the spill posed no threat to people, wildlife, or the environment, as the drill mud contained no hazardous or oily substances.

For public safety, both directions of Highway 27 were closed: Ward 6 Engine 7 blocked the southbound lane at Buhler Station Road, while Houston River Fire Department shut down the northbound lane of Highway 27 at Houston River Road. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) coordinated to manage traffic and begin cleanup operations.

Contractors overseeing the pipeline project supplied removal crews, bringing sweeping equipment and additional personnel to clear away the mud. Firefighters subsequently washed down the affected road surface under DOTD guidance. To ensure traction and further reduce hazards, DOTD applied a granular absorbent over the cleaned area before reopening the highway around 11:00 p.m.

Recognizing the inconvenience for drivers, the contractor is offering complimentary car wash vouchers to anyone whose vehicle may have come into contact with the drilling mud. Residents can pick up these passes from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. today, July 24, at Ward 6 Fire Station #3, 3533 Highway 27 North, Sulphur. The contractor is also working closely with local agencies to assist in ongoing remediation and to review safety protocols, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.