The Olmeca refinery in the Port of Dos Bocas, Tabasco, processed 43.1 thousand barrels per day of crude oil in December 2024, showing a 27.4% drop compared to the previous month, according to data from Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex). Despite this result, the refinery is still far from reaching its total capacity of 340 thousand barrels per day.
Pemex has begun providing operational information about the Dos Bocas refinery starting in June 2024. During this period, the refinery has averaged 39.8 thousand barrels per day, with its best month in August at 84.1 thousand barrels per day and its lowest month in October with no production at all.
Ramsés Pech, an energy expert, suggests that, based on the available information, the new refinery will not operate at full capacity until after 2027. Regarding the refined petroleum products, Dos Bocas managed to produce 47.1 thousand barrels per day, with diesel representing 55.5%, gasoline 27.6%, coke 16.5%, and liquefied gas 0.4%.
Although Dos Bocas experienced a decrease in production, the National Refining System (SNR) closed the year with a 16.4% increase in crude processing. The Cadereyta refinery led this growth with a 38% increase in its processing compared to November. Other refineries, such as Tula, Salamanca, and Salina Cruz, also recorded increases in December.
In contrast, the plants in Madero and Minatitlán, along with Dos Bocas, reduced monthly refining. At the same time, Pemex has held meetings with Woodside Energy to discuss the Trion project, which will allow for hydrocarbon extraction in the Gulf of Mexico at depths greater than 2,500 meters. An investment of 10.4 billion dollars is estimated for this project, which will include a floating production unit the size of a football stadium and will require about 50 thousand tons of steel.
