Pemex reports two deaths and five injuries from an oil leakage at a refinery in Texas

Two people were believed to have died and five were being treated for injuries on Thursday after a chemical release at Pemex's 312,500-barrels-per-day Deer Park oil refinery in Texas, the Mexican national oil company said.

According to two anonymous sources familiar with the refinery's operations, a contractor who worked there is believed to be the one responsible for opening a hydrogen sulfide line. The gas was deadly and the worker died after being exposed to it.

The county sheriff’s office confirmed that one person had died, another was taken by Lifeflight, and several other people were injured.

Pemex released a statement saying that the leak was discovered at around 4:40 pm CDT (2140 GMT). Emergency protocols were activated, and coking and hydrotreatment systems were immediately shut down.

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, hydrogen sulfide can be produced or used as a by-product in various industrial processes. This includes petroleum production and refinement.

The amount of hydrogen sulfide inhaled, and the length of time spent exposed to it can cause a variety health problems. OSHA states that inhaling high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide can lead to rapid death.

In a statement published on X, Harris County executive Lina Hdalgo stated that "The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office" and Harris County Pollution Services were on the scene in order to monitor and assist the air.

Deer Park, a city in California, issued an order to all residents of the city. The shelter-in place order closed a state highway to the south of the refinery.

Pemex reported earlier in the day that it was carrying out activities which could cause flare-ups. Reporting by Ashitha Shivprasad, Erwin Seba, and Kylie Madry, in Mexico City. Editing by Sandra Maler and Leslie Adler.

(source: Reuters)