Mexico City, Mexico — Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) reported that it has repaired two leaks in an oil pipeline that spilled across 7 kilometers. The leaking line transports oil from its Akal-C platform to the Dos Bocas maritime terminal in the southern state of Tabasco.
In a statement Wednesday night, Pemex said preparations were underway to verify the pipeline’s watertightness and resume operations. The announcement was made after media reported an oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday.
Pemex said the oil had reached a 7-kilometer (4.35-mile) stretch of coastline at the Dos Bocas Maritime Terminal in the municipality of Paraíso, Tabasco. In their statement, the company said cleanup was expected to be completed Wednesday. The company also said that it was working with local communities to help resume fishing.
Pemex’s announcement comes a week after an incident temporarily halted operations at the company’s Olmeca refinery, adjacent to the Dos Bocas terminal.
“Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) reports that it has addressed two leaks in a pipeline transporting oil from the Akal-C Platform to the Dos Bocas Maritime Terminal (TMDB) by installing two metal clamps. Preparations are currently underway to verify the pipeline’s tightness and put it into operation.
“After mapping, it was determined that a portion of the leaked oil had reached the shore of the Dos Bocas Maritime Terminal in the municipality of Paraíso, Tabasco, over a distance of 7 kilometers. Pemex personnel and specialized equipment immediately carried out the cleanup.
“These actions have involved dialogue with fishing communities to establish preventive measures so they can resume their productive activities as quickly as possible.
“The Agency for Safety, Energy and Environment (ASEA) of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) was notified of the incident, with the aim of implementing the appropriate remediation actions.”
