ABSTRACT
The main nonrenewable natural resource of Mexico is oil. Most of its production comes from the oil wells located in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), especially in the region known as Sonda de Campeche. This area contains the majority of the oil rigs installed by PEMEX (Petroleos Mexicanos), the state-owned Mexican Petroleum Company. In December 1978, the Sedco 135F oil rig started drilling the Ixtoc I exploratory well for PEMEX. The oil well was located in the Bay of Campeche of the GOM, about 100 km (60 mi.) northwest of Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, and 600 mi. south of Texas (92° 13’W-19° 24’N) in waters 50-m (160-ft) deep (Milne 2008) (Figure 11.1).
