Eric Watkins
Senior Correspondent
LOS ANGELES, July 12 -- Mexico's state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) said July 10 it had suspended operation of its 36-in. Mexico City-Guadalajara natural gas pipeline after discovering a loss of pressure.
Pemex said an explosion and fire in a valve system caused the pressure loss that affected three pipelines: the Mexico City-Guadalajara line; the 14-in. Cactus-Guadalajara LPG line; and the 16-in. Poza Rica-Salamanca oil line.
Pemex said government authorities brought the fire under control and that there was no damage or injuries outside of the Pemex facilities. It did not detail the damage or any injuries inside Pemex facilities other than to the valve system.
Pemex said an investigation is under way to determine the causes of the accident but gave no estimate of the time needed before gas line operations can be resumed.
Contact Eric Watkins at [email protected].