Mexican state-owned oil company Pemex’s Cadereyta refinery, with a capacity of producing 275,000 barrels a day, was reported to be running normally on Monday despite recent environmental issues in Nuevo Leon.
Environmental Controversy
Refinery Operations
Contrary to the shutdown order, Pemex stated that operations at the refinery were never suspended, although they did not provide further details on the situation. The conflicting reports raise questions about the transparency and communication regarding the environmental issues at hand.
Political Response
Pollution Concerns
Environmental Nuevo Leon has pointed out that the Cadereyta refinery is a major contributor to sulfur-dioxide emissions in the Monterrey metropolitan area, impacting air quality in Mexico’s second-largest city. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, however, attributed high pollution levels to the industrial sector as a whole, claiming that the refinery is not solely responsible for environmental pollution.
The conflicting views on the refinery’s impact on pollution highlight the need for further investigation and action to address environmental concerns in the region.
Mexico’s Presidential Campaign Focuses on Clean Energy
During the kickoff of Mexico’s presidential campaigns over the weekend, Jose Alvarez Maynez, the candidate representing the Citizens Movement party, announced his plans to close the Cadereyta refinery. Maynez cited excessive pollution emissions as the reason behind this decision, emphasizing the need to prioritize the use of clean energies.
Supporting Clean and Renewable Energies
Maynez highlighted the importance of promoting clean and renewable energies for the country, emphasizing their cost-effectiveness and positive impact on attracting investments to Nuevo Leon.
Operational Data and Production Statistics
According to Pemex’s latest operational data, Cadereyta processed 169,413 b/d of crude oil in January, accounting for 17.7% of the total crude oil processed in Pemex’s older refineries. The facility’s crude processing rate increased by 8.7% from December, with significant production figures for gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil.
Focus on Sustainable Solutions
Fuel oil production at Cadereyta refinery represented almost 17% of the total fuel output in January, underscoring the need for sustainable energy solutions in the region.