Eric Watkins
Senior Correspondent
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 1 -- Mexico's state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos said it has restored all but about 300,000 bbl of oil production halted last weekend when storms hit the Gulf of Mexico.
Pemex had suspended as much as 1.1 million b/d of output on Oct. 30 after oil completely filled storage tanks at three ports—Dos Bocas, Cayo Arcas, and Pajaritos—where inclement weather prevented ships from loading.
Dos Bocas and Cayo Arcas have since reopened, allowing ships to begin loading oil, and more will move as weather clears, said Pemex director Jesus Reyes Heroles.
Pajaritos remained shut Nov.1, but a port official said it might reopen at midday if the weather improved.
Meanwhile, Pemex expected to reopen wells Oct. 31and resume normal production of about 3.1 million b/d, including 1.7 million b/d for export, according to Pemex E&P Director Carlos Morales.
A week of heavy rains caused widespread flooding in southeastern Mexico, killing at least one person and forcing tens of thousands to flee rising waters in Tabasco and Chiapas states.
The flooding was thought to have caused a leak in a 10-in. natural gas pipeline after soil support was washed away, according to Pemex officials. Tabasco officials said the pipeline had exploded. There were no deaths or injuries.
Contact Eric Watkins at [email protected].
Norwegian Offshore Directorate.
