More than a fourth of Mexico's natural gas processing capacity has been knocked off line after a series of deadly explosions heavily damaged two big plants in Chiapas state.
Six workers were killed and more than 40 injured in the July 26 explosion.
Although still under investigation, state petroleum company Petroleos Mexicanos believes a maintenance crew accidentally caused a leak that ignited. The federal attorney general's office is handling the investigation.
Pemex losses
The two plants comprise the Cactus gas processing center at Reforma with a combined capacity of 1.45 bcfd of gas.
Press reports said Pemex will lose about $2.75 million/day until the Cactus complex is back in service. The company did not confirm that figure.
It is estimated that Pemex will need $250 million and 18 months to repair the Cactus complex.
Mexico will use U.S. natural gas to offset the Chiapas loss. Pemex last week said it will purchase an added 300 MMcfd of gas through Ciudad Juarez and Reynosa along the Texas border. Pemex is currently importing 6.94 bcfd of natural gas, mostly arriving through El Paso into Ciudad Juarez.
In addition, Pemex will reduce its consumption of gas and attempt to increase throughput at other facilities in Tabasco and Chiapas. Two plants in Tabasco will increase throughput by 160 MMcfd.
Pemex reckons its cryogenic plant No. 3 in Tabasco, with capacity of 500 MMcfd, will be on line in 8 months.
In 1995, Mexico produced 3.759 bcfd of gas, up from 3.625 bcfd in 1994 and 3.576 bcfd in 1993.
Pemex predicted on Feb.28 it would produce an average 4.298 bcfd of gas this year.
Copyright 1996 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
