Pemex's Krem-1 Well: 300 Million Cubic Meters of Gas Burned, Half of Mexico's Residential Consumption

Pemex's Krem-1 exploratory well, ablaze since March 5, 2026, in Las Choapas, Veracruz, has burned an estimated 300 million cubic meters of natural gas, a volume equivalent to roughly half of Mexico's annual residential gas consumption, according to VIIRS Nightfire satellite data and Reuters calculations.

The leak began after an explosion during drilling operations at the well, which Pemex classifies as an exploratory project with estimated resources of up to 51 million barrels of crude oil and gas. The fire burned continuously for nearly five months. According to Forbes México, the state company reported that monitored pollutant concentrations remained below regulatory limits and no poisoning cases linked to the incident were identified. President Claudia Sheinbaum asked Pemex and health authorities to report on progress and address residents' concerns, per the same report.

The definitive closure plan, detailed by Pemex and reported by Diario de Xalapa, encompasses six stages: complementary support works, removal of damaged equipment, surface component cuts using specialized technology, installation of a new valve and pipeline system, flow stoppage, and definitive plugging of the well. The state company noted that the well's current flow consists of liquid-phase water and steam, and that it maintains barriers in nearby streams to contain and recover hydrocarbons.

The incident affected 1,517 hectares in the rural area of Las Choapas, according to documentation by the organization Carto Crítica. Residents of at least five communities, including Constitución Mexicana, Ignacio López Rayón, and La Guadalupe, reported to local media crop damage, stream contamination, wildlife harm, and respiratory problems attributed to the fire. Carto Crítica documented that 577 ejidatarios registered confirmed damages in the area.

Once sealing operations are complete, Pemex will begin remediation and cleanup of the affected areas. The state company has not published a timeline for completion of the work.

This article was written with AI assistance from verified sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.