PEMEX Pipeline Explodes in Nuevo Leon

Governor of Nuevo Leon Jaime Rodríguez Calderón reported that a PEMEX  pipeline exploded at 5 a.m. on Monday. The accident occurred 30km from the China municipality and burned down an area of 800m in diameter. According to the authorities, there were no reported deaths nor people injured.

The governor’s twitter account reported that the authorities received a notification through the Emergency Line, indicating that a gas pipeline explosion occurred in the China municipality. The governor announced that state, federal, local and Civil Protection authorities were flown by helicopter to the area of the accident.

In an effort to reduce the flames’ intensity, PEMEX workers and Civil Protection closed the valves closer to the fire. At 12.30 p.m., state authorities reported that most of the fuel was consumed, which allowed CENEGAS employees to begin repairs, control and investigation on the accident, reported El Diario.

SENER and CENEGAS’ press release mentioned that authorities have suspended the pipeline’s operations. The motives of the explosion are currently unknown. However, CENEGAS is working with PEMEX and local authorities to ensure infrastructure and workers’ safety.

According to Civil Protection, the pipeline is one of the most important in the state of Nuevo Leon, since it supplies natural gas to the entire country. CENEGAS reports confirmed that there has not been any alterations to Nuevo Leon’s natural gas supply. However, PEMEX will make arrangements to ensure that supply is not cut off, reported El Universal.

The cause of the explosion is being investigated by the federal Attorney General’s Office to take measures to prevent another explosion from happening. PEMEX has not stated anything about the accident, according to Mexico News Daily.