(Reuters) – An offshore pipeline that exploded near Venice, Louisiana, on Saturday night, killing one person, belonged to Whitney Oil and Gas, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Monday.

The company was not immediately available for comment.

“The explosion resulted in the death of 40-year-old Joshua Nichols of Lake Charles… The pipelines were blocked and one is still on fire, burning the remaining natural gas in the line,” Louisiana State Police said in a statement Monday.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Nichols was operating a mud boat near a natural gas pipeline. For reasons still under investigation, police say an explosion and fire occurred while Nichols was presumably working on the pipeline.

“Mr. Nichols was a contractor for Petroleum Co-Ordinators Inc,” Louisiana State Police said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

“Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector New Orleans received a report of an explosion and fire near South Pass, Louisiana, Saturday evening,” the U.S. Coast Guard said in an email Monday.

“The Coast Guard dispatched a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Venice and an air crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans to assist in the search,” it said.