Diesel: Dos Bocas’ First Product

The Dos Bocas refinery is set to commence crude processing for commercial production in the coming weeks, with diesel anticipated as the first output, according to Reinaldo Wences, Deputy Director of Evaluation and Regulatory Compliance, PEMEX TRI.

“Preliminary processing of crude will begin soon after material supply; we will start by obtaining diesel, followed by gasoline," Wences stated during a call with financial analysts. PEMEX confirmed in January that commercial gasoline and diesel production at the Dos Bocas refinery would reach full capacity by the end of March, as announced by Octavio Romero, CEO, PEMEX. 

During facility inspections, Romero aimed at establishing precise production start dates, assuring that the plant would enter commercial production in the upcoming weeks, starting with diesel manufacturing and subsequently incorporating regular gasoline.

The Olmeca refinery has a maximum production capacity of 340Mb/d, to be achieved by the end of 3Q24, as anticipated by energy consultancy Wood Mackenize. However, the start of commercial gasoline and diesel production at the Dos Bocas refinery has faced delays, as indicated by PEMEX executives.

"In the coming weeks, the Olmeca refinery will begin operations, increasing the country's refining capacity and thereby also the supply of fuels and petrochemicals," stated the executive in a message about PEMEX's financial results for 4Q23.

On July 1, 2022, Dos Bocas was inaugurated by López Obrador, albeit without commercial production. Former head of SENER and then in charge of the project, Rocío Nahle, estimated that production would begin in December of that same year. The year ended and Dos Bocas marked one year inaugurated without production. In Aug. 2023, AMLO stated that "at the latest" in November, the refinery would start commercial fuel production. 

The cost of the mega-project has risen to US$18.9 billion, initially estimated at US$8 billion, according to a document presented by PEMEX. The NOC justified the increase based on the construction of infrastructure adjacent to the project, such as a gas pipelines, aqueducts, power plants, as well as roadways due to delays from other federal institutions.