MEXICO – Pemex rules out oil reaching Campeche coast following offshore spill
Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) has ruled out the possibility of hydrocarbons from an offshore oil spill reaching the Campeche coastline, citing continuous monitoring of conditions in the Gulf of Mexico.
The spill occurred approximately 46 nautical miles from Ciudad del Carmen after a crude-oil gathering pipeline serving several offshore platforms experienced a loss of pressure on September 10.
Pemex said the pipeline was immediately depressurized and isolated by closing safety valves at both ends. According to the company, the line has remained without crude-oil flow or leakage since those measures were taken.
Response operations began the same day, with specialized vessels deployed to the affected area to contain and collect hydrocarbons and carry out mechanical dispersion. Diving teams also identified the damaged section of the pipeline and began repair work.
By Saturday, crews had completed dredging the seabed around the pipeline. Work subsequently focused on removing the concrete ballast from the line and preparing a metal casing to cover and reinforce the affected section. Pemex expects the repairs to be completed within the next few days.
The incident involved a pipeline connecting the Ek-TA, Balam-TA, Balam-A, Balam-TB and Balam-TA2 platforms, according to Pemex’s Cantarell Extraction Asset personnel.
The company also activated its Regional Emergency Response and Management Group (GRAME) to coordinate the response. The group is overseeing containment and mitigation measures, protecting personnel and facilities, and maintaining communication between the agencies involved.
GRAME notified the Agency for Safety, Energy and Environment (ASEA) and the Mexican Navy about the incident. Pemex said it also complied with an ordinary inspection order issued by ASEA on September 11.
Pemex said response teams and vessels will remain in the area while containment, recovery and repair operations continue. The company added that it will continue monitoring the Gulf of Mexico and provide further updates on the situation.
Photo credit: Pemex. All rights reserved.