Mexican state-owned oil company Pemex has confirmed a new hydrocarbon spill near its Olmeca refinery in Dos Bocas, Tabasco, marking the third incident at its facilities in less than a month. This event follows a recent fire in the same area. The detection of hydrocarbons in zones near Dos Bocas has prompted the implementation of a federal inter-institutional operation involving authorities such as the Navy Secretariat (Semar), the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa), along with environmental authorities from the state of Tabasco. As part of the response, inspections were conducted at the naval pier and beach area of the Dos Bocas Naval Search, Rescue, and Maritime Surveillance Station (ENSAR), where hydrocarbon residues were identified. Authorities and technical personnel have deployed immediate containment, cleanup, and environmental assessment measures, with the support of a specialized hired company. So far, approximately 240 kilograms of material contaminated with hydrocarbons have been collected. Cleanup efforts have also extended to the Seco River, where containment barriers were installed to limit the spread of the pollutant. A major concern is the potential impact on the Mecoacán lagoon, a key ecosystem in the region. Oil-absorbing booms have been used to absorb residues in the water, while monitoring continues. The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection is conducting ongoing inspections in the Seco River to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The Agency for Safety, Energy, and the Environment (ASEA) will provide technical follow-up, conduct an on-site inspection, and request a Root Cause Investigation from Pemex. The official cause of the spill and the extent of the environmental impact have not yet been disclosed. This new spill increases pressure on Pemex, highlighting the need to clarify the causes and assess potential long-term environmental implications.
