Pemex estimates that this means it paid M$0.54 for each peso of hydrocarbon fuels and derivatives sold throughout the year. Still more problematically for the government and the company another recent report estimated losses to illegal extraction from 610 clandestine oil pumping stations in the period ranging from January to May 2010 at M$14.4bn (US$1.2bn). It is now believed that part of the contraband operation is run by the Zetas drug gang with the collaboration of Pemex employees. The contraband fuel is extracted directly from the company's pipelines and then smuggled to the US or Central America where it is sold illegally. The issue gained national relevance in December 2010 when an oil pipe from which oil was illegally extracted, exploded in San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla. Pemex was found to be responsible for the incident. Although no figures were disclosed the company issued a statement on 20 January explaining that it had paid for all the repairs to the material damages caused; and compensation to the families of 28 of the 30 people killed by the blast.
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