PEMEX Deer Park did not establish an effective method to clearly identify the correct equipment to open before authorizing opening it which led to a release of pressurized hydrogen sulfide that killed two workers, a new report found.
On October 10, 2024, at 4:23 p.m., approximately 27,000 pounds of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas released during maintenance at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery in Deer Park, Texas, according to a final report issued by the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). Not only did the release result on the fatalities of Jason Scott and Jose Perez, Jr., it also injured 13 others.
The release occurred when contract workers from Repcon, Inc. opened piping containing hydrogen sulfide gas. Instead of opening a pipe flange on empty piping, the workers mistakenly opened an identical piping segment 5 feet away, releasing pressurized hydrogen sulfide gas and fatally injuring one of the Repcon workers…