Pemex Deer Park reports Hydrogen Sulfide release, 2 killed, dozens affected; Deer Park shelter in place lifted

DEER PARK, Texas - Authorities are on the scene following an incident at Pemex, authorities said. 

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said preliminary information indicated that an unknown chemical release occurred. 

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At least one person has been confirmed dead due to the incident, another person was taken by Lifeflight, and several others have been injured. 

UPDATE AT 9:30 P.M.

Officials have confirmed the shelter-in-place in Deer Park has been lifted by officials as there is no detectable concerns in the air of hydrogen sulfide. 

However, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed at least two people have died on the scene. 

Gonzalez said they are working to confirm the number of workers that were triaged on the scene. That number is said to be approximately 35 people that were either transported or triaged on the scene. 

It may take seven to eight hours, or overnight, for all the assessment to be completed. 

Gonzalez said preliminary information indicated that workers were working on a flange of some kind when there was a gas leak of hydrogen sulfide. 

Officials did confirm that no one was lifeflighted from the scene following a preliminary report that a helicopter was called out to the scene. However, the helicopters were put on standby only. 

UPDATE AT 8:58 P.M.

PEMEX has released a statement regarding the incident at PEMEX Deer Park:

"Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) reports that at 4:40 p.m. an acid gas leak was reported in one of the process units of the Deer Park refinery, located in Texas, United States. Immediately, the emergency protocols were activated, as well as the refinery's Emergency Care Center and the respective notifications were made to the local authorities. In order to mitigate the impact, the operation of the coking unit and hydrotreatment units was proactively stopped, and safety venting was also carried out, notifying the authorities under the mechanisms indicated in the protocol. We are aware of five affected workers who are being treated, and the death of two more people is yet to be confirmed. No impact to the community is reported. The corresponding investigations are being carried out to find out the causes of the accident and work is being done to reactivate the facilities."

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo put a statement on X, saying, "I'm aware of the chemical leak at the PEMEX plant in Deer Park. At this time, there are reports of at least one fatality and multiple injuries at the plant, and my heart goes out to their families and loved ones. The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office and Harris County Pollution Control Services are on scene to assist and monitor the air. 

Our Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management is standing by for any additional help that is requested. Our primary concern is to ensure the leak has stopped and that the leaked materials are not impacting county residents. We will send more updates as we get them."

SHELTER IN PLACE ISSUED

The City of Pasadena said on social media that a Hydrogen Sulfide release occurred at the facility and the Pasadena Fire Department had issued a shelter-in-place for all areas north of Spencer Highway in the Pasadena City Limits. However, the shelter-in-place has been lifted in Pasadena.

However, the City of Deer Park has issued a shelter in place for all Deer Park residents for several hours. But it was lifted around 9:30 p.m. Thursday night. 

Officials stated the incident is currently contained within the PEMEX facility. 

There is no threat to the community, officials said. 

WHAT IS HYDROGEN SULFIDE?

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, highly toxic, and flammable gas with a characteristic foul odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The gas occurs naturally in various environments, particularly in areas where organic matter is decaying, such as sewers, oil and gas wells, and manure pits. 

It’s also used or can be produced as part of various industries such as oil and gas refining, mining, and petroleum refining, natural gas extraction, and wastewater treatment.

HISTORY OF FACILITY

This is not the first time first responders have been called to this location.

In May 2023, there was an explosion at a shell facility. There was confusion about who owned the facility at the time. 

The Shell chemical plant and PEMEX facility are adjacent to each other. They own and operate their own separate units and pieces of land.

In March 2024, there was another fire, that one at the PEMEX facility. 

SOME RESIDENTS UNINFORMED OF INCIDENT

The City of Deer Park reported that their emergency notification system was experiencing technical difficulties with CodeRED. So some residents may have not received notifications regarding the incident when it occurred.