A new hydrocarbon spill occurred in the Chacalapa stream, in the municipality of Jáltipan, Veracruz. The event mobilized federal and state environmental authorities, who identified a brine exploration well belonging to the Mexican Vinyl Petrochemical Company (PMV Minera S.A. de C.V.) as the source of the incident.
The report was received on October 13, after a substance with hydrocarbon characteristics was detected in the immediate vicinity of the company's land, on the Jáltipan-Potrerillo road, reported the Security, Energy and Environment Agency (ASEA), in coordination with the Federal Attorney's Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa).
During a verification visit on October 15, authorities identified that the spill originated in a brine exploration well at the PMV Minera salt plant. The rains caused the dispersion of the diesel deposited in the well for the extraction of the salt solution.
According to the official report, the hydrocarbon traveled approximately 350 meters until it reached an intermittent body of water and advanced about 2.5 kilometers towards the Chacalapa stream.
To limit the dispersion of the pollutant, federal and state authorities installed oleophilic barriers and cords, devices used to contain and facilitate the recovery of hydrocarbons. The actions made it possible to contain the runoff, while the company is carrying out work to recover the spilled diesel.
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Pemex stands out
Through its social networks, Pemex reported that, after verifying its infrastructure in the area, it did not identify leaks, containment losses or anomalies. The company noted that the product came from facilities and operations outside the oil company.
He also indicated that, in response to a request for support from Minatitlán's Civil Protection, Pemex personnel came to the scene and provided specialized equipment for the containment and recovery of the hydrocarbon. The oil company added that it maintains monitoring of the area.
As a result of the visit, Profepa imposed a temporary partial closure on the establishment and ordered the plugging and immediate repair of the well. The company must accompany these actions with an environmental remediation program that will be evaluated by the Attorney General's Office.
ASEA specified that its intervention corresponded to the initial verification of the report and to inter-institutional coordination. The agency explained that the activity related to the origin of the spill is outside its scope of competence.
Profepa and ASEA will maintain verification and coordination actions to clarify the circumstances of the incident and determine the corresponding responsibilities.
During 2026, different federal agencies have reported incidents and episodes of hydrocarbon pollution in several entities.
In March, Pemex, ASEA and Sener participated in dealing with emanations off the coast of Veracruz and Tabasco, attributed to a ship and two natural showers, also affecting Tamaulipas.
In June, Pemex investigated a dark spot in the Pánuco River, in Ciudad Madero, without detecting free-phase hydrocarbon; in September, ASEA inspected a spill at Pemex marine facilities in the Gulf of Mexico and, that same month, federal authorities deployed containment and sanitation work on the Pánuco River, in front of the Madero Refinery, in Tamaulipas.
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