On October 10, 2024, a hydrogen sulfide leak hit the Deer Park refinery of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) , located in Texas, United States. The incident, reported at 4:40 p.m., immediately activated emergency protocols for both the plant and local authorities.
To minimize the risk, operations were halted at several key units, including the coking and hydrotreating units. Controlled venting was performed and authorities were notified in accordance with industrial safety procedures.
What happened at the Deer Park refinery?
Initially, five workers were affected, but the situation worsened when the deaths of two employees of contracting companies were confirmed. Authorities in Harris County and the US federal government have already been notified and are collaborating in the investigations.
A day after the incident, Pemex CEO Victor Rodriguez Padilla attended a press conference to provide more details. The number of people affected was reported to have risen to 35, of which 13 are still under hospital care . All are stable and will remain under observation for 24 hours, according to medical protocol.
Statements by Victor Rodriguez Padilla, director of Pemex. Source: REFORMA Group
Pemex deeply regrets the death of the two contractor workers, who lost their lives while performing maintenance work . Investigations continue to determine the exact causes of the incident and to reactivate operations at the refinery as soon as possible.
So far, there has been no impact on the local community and the company remains committed to ensuring the safety of both staff and residents near the refinery.
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Source: PEMEX
Photo: shutterstock