According to Pemex, approximately 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) of coastline have been officially affected. However, local residents and environmental advocates report contamination across more than 17 kilometers—over 10.5 miles—reaching ecologically sensitive areas like the Mecoacán Lagoon, a protected natural reserve.
The spill’s reach has disrupted mangrove ecosystems, impacted marine species, and contaminated oyster farms vital to the regional economy. In response, at least five beaches have been closed, and local fishing and tourism activities have been suspended indefinitely.
Pemex stated that the leaks, located in the pipeline linking the offshore Akal-C platform to the refinery’s terminal, have been sealed using metal clamps. Further testing is underway to determine the pipeline's integrity before resuming operations.
The company has initiated cleanup operations and notified Mexico’s Safety, Energy and Environment Agency (ASEA) and the federal Environment Ministry to coordinate a formal remediation effort. The Tabasco state Environment Ministry has also filed a formal complaint with ASEA, citing significant ecological and economic impacts.
President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the incident publicly, noting that the compromised pipeline was originally installed in the 1970s. She emphasized that repairs are ongoing and promised accountability measures for infrastructure maintenance failures.
This latest spill follows another environmental breach in March at the same offshore Akal-C platform, raising broader concerns about Pemex’s pipeline infrastructure and environmental safeguards. Critics argue that Pemex, while central to Mexico’s energy independence strategy, has consistently struggled with aging infrastructure and insufficient environmental oversight.
The Olmeca refinery itself, inaugurated in 2022 as a flagship project for energy self-sufficiency, has faced multiple operational hurdles—including a recent communications failure that forced a temporary shutdown. While the facility represents a strategic milestone, its repeated disruptions and now the associated environmental fallout underscore ongoing challenges.
Environmental groups and local communities are urging stronger government oversight, calling for a reevaluation of Pemex’s maintenance practices and investment in resilient infrastructure. The oil spill serves as a stark reminder of the environmental stakes as Mexico continues to expand its fossil fuel capacity.
Pemex has yet to publish a full environmental impact report, but stakeholders expect further scrutiny as cleanup efforts unfold and public pressure mounts for structural reforms in Mexico’s oil and gas sector.
