Mexico's state-run oil company Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, said Wednesday it needs $3 billion for urgent repairs of its pipelines over the next six years.
Monday the company faced a new pipeline leak, of naphtha, that prompted the evacuation of 2,000 people and killed dozens of animals. Director general of Pemex Luis Ramirez Corzo urged Mexican lawmakers to approve the funds.
The leak occurred in an unpopulated area near the city of Agua Dulce in Veracruz state on the Gulf coast. It contaminated at least two rivers and a stream, and was the company's fourth accident in just over a month.
Mexico's Federal Environmental Protection Agency said late Wednesday it would shut down the pipeline "until the company can guarantee its correct operation and submits a preliminary report on the causes of the accident, and a report on what measures have been taken to control the emergency."
The agency also filed a criminal complaint against Pemex on Wednesday in which it provided the first official estimate of how much gas was spilled, saying it ranged from 1,000 to 1,500 barrels. Pemex has not released an estimate.
