Pemex Battles Fire on Unmanned Abkatun-H Platform in Gulf of Mexico
The blaze at the unmanned satellite platform, located 60 nautical miles off Ciudad del Carmen.
Mexico’s state-owned oil company Pemex is responding to a fire at its unmanned Abkatún-H platform in the Gulf of Mexico, located about 73 kilometres off the coast of Ciudad del Carmen in Campeche. The blaze was detected at 11:15 a.m. local time on Monday, prompting the activation of emergency protocols.
Pemex confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that its regional emergency team, GRAME, was immediately deployed. Firefighting vessels were sent to the platform, which is part of the larger Abkatun oilfield complex in the Sonda de Campeche. As of Tuesday, the company had not provided updates on the fire’s cause, status, or potential damage. No injuries were reported, as the platform operates without a permanent crew.
The lack of information from Pemex has left questions unanswered, including whether oil production has been affected. The company has not indicated any disruptions, though the platform’s role in Mexico’s offshore output remains significant. The Abkatun field, discovered in the late 1970s, continues to be a key contributor, producing 3.3 million barrels annually as of 2024.
“The fire was detected at 11:15 a.m. local time, and safety protocols were activated immediately.”
Pemex statement
Recent incidents raise safety concerns: Pemex
This latest emergency follows a series of accidents involving Pemex facilities in 2026. In March, a fire at the Olmeca refinery complex resulted in five fatalities. Two months later, an explosion at the Salina Cruz refinery injured six workers. Additionally, a well fire in Veracruz burned uncontrollably for four months, causing environmental damage across dozens of towns.
Environmental violations have also marred the company’s record this year. In February, a pipeline leak at the Abkatun field led to an oil spill that contaminated beaches in Campeche and disrupted local fishing activities. Pemex only acknowledged the spill in April, leading to the dismissal of several officials for delaying the disclosure.
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