Mexico Gasoline Fire

AJC 1/22/19 article page A2 reports a gasoline pipeline fire in Mexico north of Mexico City that killed 89 gas pilferers. The fire occurred on a 14 inch, buried steel pipeline that had been tapped to steal gasoline. This recent tap occurred in rural Mexico.

The pipeline is 375 miles long and carries 400,000 barrels of gasoline per day. Criminal gangs have been tapping this pipeline for years. The pipeline is 30 years old and has been tapped 14,894 times. The stolen gasoline from 2018 was valued at $3.14 billion.

Gasoline shortages affect the 20 million population of Mexico City that depend on this pipeline for gasoline supplies. Mexico President Obrador has deployed 4000 military and law enforcement personnel to critical sections of this pipeline and ordered 571 tanker trucks to be operated by the military. Civilian drivers have been recruited and are now waiting in Army barracks for the trucks to arrive.

This is a short-term fix. Mexican authorities need to find ways to prevent these taps and end the gasoline theft.

Comments

Pipelines can be the safest and most cost-effective means of delivering gasoline over long distances.  They are expensive to build and should be wired to detect a breach. Pipelines need to be monitored and maintained.  We need to use materials for these pipes that last 100 years.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader