An explosion and subsequent fire devastated an offshore gas platform in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in the loss of two lives, eight injuries, and one missing worker. The incident occurred on the Nohoch gas transfer platform operated by Mexico's state-owned oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) early in the morning on July 7. The deceased and missing individuals were employed by a subcontractor, while the injured consisted of both company employees and subcontractor workers. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening.
Pemex conducted a successful evacuation of 321 workers from the platform using seven ships. Photos released by the company displayed fire boats actively dousing the still-smouldering platform with water. Although the platform suffered total destruction, nearby linked platforms were unaffected by the fire.
While the risk of an oil spill appeared to be minimal, it remained uncertain whether the incident would necessitate increased gas flaring, a process that releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases. Gas transfer platforms like the one affected receive gas from wells and transport it through pipelines to storage tanks or ships.
With some wells producing gas associated with oil, the accident could lead to the temporary suspension of oil production until an alternative outlet for the gas is established or the excess gas is flared off.
Octavio Romero, the director of Pemex, indicated that the accident would likely reduce crude oil production by several thousand barrels per day. Acknowledging the adverse impact on the company, Romero emphasised the need for a swift return to production.
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