An investigation has been launched after a leak at an oil refinery in Texas

MEXICO CITY/HOUSTON >> An investigation is underway into the deadly chemical leak at a Houston-area oil refinery owned by Mexican state oil company Pemex, the company’s top executive said today.

Two contract workers were killed and up to 35 others were treated for exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas while working at a unit at the 312,500 barrels per day (bpd) refinery near Houston.

Pemex, as Petroleos Mexicanos is best known, took full ownership of the Deer Park refinery in early 2021 and acquired Shell’s shares in a refining joint venture. Mexico acquired the plant in order to become more independent when it comes to gasoline and diesel.

Victor Rodriguez, chief executive of Pemex, said at a media briefing that the bodies of two workers were recovered early this morning after the toxic gas dissipated enough for rescue workers to approach the affected area.

“The deceased are neither Pemex workers nor any of those affected,” said Rodriguez, who noted that it remains unclear what caused the chemical release.

The fatalities were outsourced maintenance workers at the refinery, Rodriguez said. He did not provide any information about the contractor who employed them.

Work on a sulfur recovery plant was underway at the time, according to people familiar with the matter.

The CEO, who took over earlier this month, said three or four units had been idled at the refinery. The company hopes to return to normal operations later today.

In 2021, Shell announced an agreement to sell its stake in Deer Park to its former partner Pemex for approximately $596 million.

Pemex’s domestic refineries have been hit by a series of accidents for years, including explosions and fires that have claimed lives in Mexico.

Additional reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez and Raul Cortes Fernandez.