Mexico’s state oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) said an investigation is underway following a fire last Friday (July 2) near one of its Gulf of Mexico (GOM) platforms in the Ku, Maloob and Zaap (KMZ) megafield.

GOM fire

Images of the eye-shaped fire went viral on social media as ships dowsing water on the flames appeared to do little to stem the raging blaze. Pemex said the fire was extinguished about five hours after it started, and the leak was sealed.

Pemex said electrical storms and a natural gas leak from a pipeline used to stimulate oil production caused the accident. There was no oil spillage, and Pemex said its actions “avoided environmental damage.”

“Fortunately there was no loss of life and it was under control relatively quickly,” Mexico President Andrés...