Explosion and fire on the Akal Bravo oil platform, operated by Pemex in the Gulf of Mexico, results in a catastrophic accident, it is estimated that there were 28 workers on site and 14 were injured.
An explosion followed by fire devastated the Akal Bravo oil platform, located in the Gulf of Mexico, causing one of the region's biggest environmental disasters. The incident, which occurred on the afternoon of April 6, led to the collapse of the offshore installation, in which case 14 workers were injured, updated at 10 am this Sunday (07) by PEMEX (Petróleos Mexicanos).
The disaster began with a sudden explosion on the deep-water drilling rig, followed by a fire that ravaged the structure for more than a day. The ongoing investigation aims to determine the causes of the explosion and evaluate safety measures in the operation of oil platforms in Mexico.
State-owned company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) operated the oil platform
The platform, operated by the state company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), is part of the Cantarell complex in the Sonda de Campeche, a crucial region for oil production in Mexico. The incident not only generated a large mobilization of emergency resources, but also raised alerts about the safety and environmental impacts of offshore oil exploration in the country.
The Coast Guard played a vital role, mobilizing 14% of its workforce to manage the crisis. The situation was worsened by the fire in the platform's fuel piping sector, which was promptly controlled, minimizing additional damage.
About the Cantarell project, which houses the Akal Bravo platform, located off the coast of the State of Campeche, Mexico
The Cantarell project, located in the territorial waters of the Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico, is strategically positioned between 40 and 50 meters deep, around 80 kilometers away. Carmen City, in Campeche. This project is notable for its proximity to important production assets and oil fields, including Ku Maloob Zaap to the northwest, Ek-Balam to the east, and the Southwest Marine Region to the west.
It is made up of significant fields such as Akal, Chac, Ixtoc, Kambesah, Kutz, Nohoch, Sihil and TakÃn, outlining the scope and importance of Cantarell in the Mexican energy industry. Cantarell's planning until 2027 foresees achieving an impressive accumulated production of 1.592,8 million barrels of oil and 938,4 billion cubic feet of gas, with a planned investment of 306.339 million pesos.
This ambitious exploration plan includes the drilling of 130 development wells and one injection well, major interventions such as 145 repairs and 8 conversions to injection wells, in addition to 1.476 minor repairs and 288 obstructions. It is also planned to build 6 production platforms, a process oil platform, install tripod-type structures, and build 34 pipelines to transport fluids.
