UPDATE 3-Texas ship channels resume normal ops

(Recasts, updates with operations normal)

HOUSTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - The Houston and Sabine Pass Ship channels were operating normally on Thursday, said ship pilots and the U.S. Coast Guard.

All restrictions limiting the size of ships transiting the waterways supplying crude oil to plants accounting for 19 percent of U.S. refining capacity were lifted Thursday.

The Houston and Sabine Pass ship channels were shut on Monday as Tropical Storm Edouard menaced the region.

The Coast Guard began reopening the channels slowly to prevent large ships from being damaged by debris that might have accumulated in the waterways.

During the reopening process, the size of ships allowed in the channels was restricted while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers inspected the waterways. (Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by David Gregorio)