On July 7, 2023, a platform fire occurred at the Nohoch Alfa platform. The platform is located in the Bay of Campeche, Gulf of Mexico. As a result of the fire, Pemex, the Mexican state-owned oil company, had to shut down approximately 700,000 barrels of oil. The Nohoch Alfa platform has a daily production capacity of around 80,000 barrels of oil.
Pemex confirmed that the fire was extinguished on July 8. However, production at the Nohoch Alfa platform will remain halted until a thorough assessment of the damage is completed.
Unfortunately, this incident is not an isolated event for Pemex. The company has experienced a series of accidents at its platforms in recent years. In 2013, an explosion at Pemex’s headquarters in Mexico City resulted in the loss of 37 lives. Additionally, in 2021, a fire on one of Pemex’s offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico led to the release of millions of gallons of oil.
Pemex, being the largest oil company in Mexico and one of the largest globally, has a troubling history of safety issues. Its platforms have become synonymous with accidents and incidents. The recent platform fire serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with offshore oil production. It also raises concerns about Pemex’s ability to ensure the safe operation of its platforms.
