Oil Spill Caused by Pipeline Thieves in Mexico Rises to 5,00
Jun 28, 2005
Oil Spill Caused by Pipeline Thieves in Mexico Rises to 5,000 Barrels
The Associated Press
MEXICO CITY (AP) - A crude oil spill at a pipeline in southern Mexico caused by thieves who drilled into the duct rose to 5,000 barrels on Tuesday, though officials said the leak had been repaired.
The thieves had drilled two holes into the 36-inch duct in a bid to steal fuel, the state-owned Pemex oil company reported Monday. The company originally estimated the spill at 2,000 to 3,000 barrels.
The pipeline carries Maya-grade crude in the township of Cardenas, in the Gulf-coast state of Tabasco.
The spill covered about 7 acres (3 hectares) of land around the pipeline; Pemex said it had recovered more than half the spilled oil.
Fuel thieves frequently try to steal gasoline or diesel from pipelines in Mexico, but they rarely tap into crude ducts.
AP-ES-06-28-05 2231EDT
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