MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (By Fidencio Casillas, Editores Latin Petroleum, 13.Sep.2026, Words: 274) — Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) continues with work on the Ek-Balam field offshore pipeline, which has been depressurized, isolated at both ends, with no flow or leakage of crude oil since the morning of 10 Sep. 2026.
Specialized underwater intervention work is progressing at a depth of 50m, using saturation diving personnel operating with a breathable mixture of helium and oxygen, in continuous shifts, PEMEX said on 13 Sep. 2026 in an official statement.
To date, 70% of the concrete ballast removal from the pipeline has been completed, the Mexico City-based company said.
Simultaneously, the metal casing to be installed to cover the affected section of the pipeline is being fabricated on the deck of the vessel, with 80% of the work completed.
As a preventative measure, specialized vessels for containment, hydrocarbon collection, and mechanical dispersion will remain on site until repairs are completed.
Based on the response, monitoring, and follow-up actions implemented in response to the incident, it is reported there is currently no identified risk of hydrocarbons reaching the coastline.
The Regional Emergency Response and Management Group (GRAME) of Pemex’s northeast marine region, in collaboration with the Mexican Navy (SEMAR), is coordinating monitoring and surveillance efforts through land patrols, vessel patrols, and overflights covering the offshore platform area and the coastline from the mouth of the Grijalva River in Tabasco to the coast of Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, where the beaches are reported to be clean, PEMEX said.
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By Fidencio Casillas reporting from Mexico City. © 1999-2026 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI) and its 100% owned Venezuelan affiliate Editores Latin Petroleum CA. All Rights Reserved.
