Pemex, Mexico's state oil company, reported on October 20, 2026, a fire at an unmanned satellite platform located about 60 miles off the coast of Ciudad del Carmen in the Gulf of Campeche. This incident is recognized as the latest case in a series of unfortunate events at the company's oil platforms.
Details of the Fire Incident
At around 11:15 AM on Monday, Pemex announced that an emergency situation had arisen at the Abkatun-H platform, which is part of the larger Abkatun oil field complex. Safety protocols were activated, and ships were dispatched to the site to contain the fire. As of Tuesday, Pemex had not released further information regarding the cause or status of the incident.
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Background of the Abkatun Field
The Abkatun field is one of six major oil fields discovered in the late 1970s to early 1980s in the sound of Campeche, which is considered the core of Mexico's oil wealth. These fields, which are reaching maturity, still provide yields for Pemex. For instance, the Abkatun field alone is expected to produce about 3.3 million barrels of oil in 2024, but its infrastructure, due to age, requires attention and upgrades.
This year, Pemex has faced a long history of fires and various incidents in its operations. This list includes a fire at the Olmeca refinery complex in March that resulted in the deaths of five workers, and another incident in May that injured six people. Additionally, a runaway well that burned for four months in Veracruz caused pollution in several municipalities.
In April, Pemex also reported a significant oil leak from a pipeline in the Abkatun field that had started in February. This oil leak has polluted the surrounding Campeche shores and threatened the income of local fishermen. Several company officials were dismissed for failing to disclose this leak in a timely manner.
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