Pemex begins dismantling damaged oil platform off Gulf coast

MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexico’s state-run oil company has begun dismantling a damaged oil platform off the Gulf coast.

Pemex decided to take down the platform because heat from near-constant fires have made it unstable. In a statement released yesterday, the company said engineers have successfully removed the platform’s drilling rig.


Pemex says it hopes the action will help workers extinguish a raging fire, as well as seal oil and gas leaks that have continued since an October 23rd accident killed at least 21 workers. High waves hit the platform’s drilling rig, sending a boom crashing into its valve assembly.

More than 80 workers and rescue personnel were forced to abandon the platform, and most dove into small, enclosed fiberglass lifeboats. Some of the boats broke apart in the stormy seas and became swamped. Sixty-three workers were pulled from rough waters by passing ships, but 21 were found dead and one remains missing.

AP