Underwater pipeline caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico - video

Last Friday, 2 June, a gas leak occurred in the Gulf of Mexico near the Pemex oil rig and an underwater pipeline caught fire.

A burning ocean and a giant glowing circle on the surface of the water is a truly apocalyptic sight straight out of a sci-fi movie. Unfortunately, in this case everything really happened. However, the only cameras present at the scene belonged to reporters covering the fire near the Pemex platform.

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Pemex, whose drilling platform is located nearby, has already issued an official statement. A company representative said that the fire had been extinguished and the situation was under control. At the same time, a gas leak from an underwater pipeline has been identified as the cause of the entire incident.

The footage, which journalists captured from a helicopter, has spread across the internet and social networks like a virus. In the frames shared by the reporters, bright orange flames can be seen leaping out of the water. The fire resembled a volcanic eruption, and the fire looked like lava pouring out.

Internet users quickly dubbed the whole thing the “eye of fire”. All because of the circular shape of the flame, which appeared a short distance from the Pemex oil platform.

Cause of fire

Reuters, citing four independent sources, reported that the fire was successfully extinguished in just over five hours. The incident occurred in the Ku Maloob Zaap oil field, undoubtedly Pemex’s most valuable field. An underwater pipeline that delivers crude to the platform reportedly caught fire.

In turn, Pemex reported that no one was injured in the whole incident and production from the project was not affected. The gas leak broke out at around 5.15 a.m. local time and was completely extinguished at 10.30 a.m. Specialists are currently investigating the cause of the fire.

Finally, it should be emphasised that Pemex has a long history of serious industrial accidents at its sites.

Although Angel Carrizales, head of ASEA, reported on Twitter that the incident “did not cause any leakage”, he did not explain what was burning on the surface of the water.