Mexico will soon stop importing fuel from the United States, according to reports. Pemex, the state oil company, refused to comment on delays and the latest planning for the start of operations at the Dos Bocas refinery.
Bernardo Del Castillo from Soteria Consulting mentioned that using old plans for the refinery has had significant consequences. Dos Bocas has faced problems due to design failures and omitting the FEED stage. Plans taken from a previous project are not suitable for operation in a different area, which has caused setbacks.
Fires, internal disputes, and environmental concerns have affected the progress of Dos Bocas. Despite its inauguration in 2022, the refinery still does not produce fuel and remains in the testing phase.
Pemex seeks to resolve issues at Dos Bocas while struggling to reduce its debt and increase oil production. The integration of the plant's sections has been a challenge due to management by subcontractors.
Quality problems with the oil have led to the temporary closure of Dos Bocas. Mexico is in need of finding other trade partners if it cannot export crude oil to the United States and receive refined fuels.
Despite promises, Dos Bocas has still not achieved the expected production capacity. Mexico, aspiring to be self-sufficient in fuel, still imports a significant portion of gasoline and diesel.
The construction of Dos Bocas has faced multiple obstacles, including design defects and structural problems. The need to get the plant operational becomes more urgent in light of the threat of tariffs from the United States.
The situation at Dos Bocas amplifies the challenges for Claudia Sheinbaum, successor to AMLO. Pemex, heavily indebted, faces losses in crude oil refining. The plant has experienced outages due to minor electrical issues, and its outdated technology makes it vulnerable to failures.
In summary, the persistent obstacles at Dos Bocas represent a significant challenge for Mexico in its pursuit of energy independence and for Pemex in its financial recovery.
