---
title: "Underwater Pipeline Leaks, Gulf of Mexico Ocean Catches on Fire"
description: "An undersea pipeline ruptured in the Gulf of Mexico today, causing the surface of the ocean to catch fire. Learn how this is possible here."
date: "2021-07-02"
modified: "2021-07-07"
authors:
  - name: "Jon Christian"
    job_title: "Executive Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jonc"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/pipeline-leaks-ocean-fire"
categories:
  - "Environment"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "disasters"
  - "environment"
  - "pemex"
  - "the digest"
---

# Underwater Pipeline Leaks, Gulf of Mexico Ocean Catches on Fire

![An undersea pipeline ruptured in the Gulf of Mexico today — and then somehow ignited, causing the surface of the ocean to catch fire.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/pipeline-leaks-ocean-fire.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Manuel Lopez San Martin\</em\>*

## Ocean Fire

A horrific scene is unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico, where [*Reuters* confirmed](<https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/fire-offshore-pemex-platform-gulf-mexico-under-control-2021-07-02/>) that an undersea pipeline ruptured today — and then somehow ignited, causing the surface of the ocean to catch fire in an apocalyptic display.

Video of the horrifying scene tore across social media as the story broke, showing bright orange flames bubbling out of the dark ocean.

https://twitter.com/EoinHiggins_/status/1411075158006284290

Another clip, taken from a helicopter, shows numerous ships working to put out the raging fire on the surface.

https://twitter.com/MLopezSanMartin/status/1411059695503261697

## Horror Show

The pipeline was operated by the Mexican state oil company Pemex. After fighting it for five hours, according to *Reuters*' reporting, the fire was finally extinguished.

The pipeline was connected to an absolutely enormous offshore oil facility called Ku-Maloob-Zaap, [according to *Bloomberg*](<https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-02/pemex-battles-fire-near-offshore-oil-platform-complex?sref=YfHlo0rL>), which produces a staggering 40 percent of the country's total oil output.

A spokesperson at Pemex, which has been involved in [many industrial accidents](<https://www.industryweek.com/operations/safety/article/21958269/mexico-deadly-gas-plant-fire-called-unusual-accident>), told *Reuters* that the company had shut off the pipeline to prevent further spillage.

**READ MORE:** ['Eye of fire' in Mexican waters snuffed out, says national oil company](<https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/fire-offshore-pemex-platform-gulf-mexico-under-control-2021-07-02/>) \[*Reuters*\]

**More on the environment:** *[Town Sets All-Time Heat Record, Then Burns To the Ground](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/town-heat-record-burns>)*

## Author
I'm responsible for editing, assigning, and scouting at Futurism, as well as occasionally writing for the site. That work involves keeping an eye on a wide range of narratives and issues, but over the past few years I've become increasingly interested in how AI is shaping the future of media, the web, and information itself. My day-to-day often involves collaborating on reporting and commentary projects bylined by my colleagues, but I try to find time to do my own reporting as well; stories I've broken for Futurism have been cited by publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker, Wired, Ars Technica, New York Magazine, the Columbia Journalism Review, Bloomberg, and more. I grew up in Southern Vermont and attended Vanderbilt University. Prior to Futurism, I contributed to outlets including the Boston Globe, Vice, Wired, Slate, the Atlantic, the Outline, Ars Technica and more, and did stints in farming and food service. I currently live in Brooklyn, New York, and in my free time I enjoy pinball, word games, cycling, running, and music production.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/jonchristian.net>)