Ixtoc Oil Spill: A Brief History
On June 3, 1979, an exploratory well blew out and caught fire, pouring crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico at a rate of 30,000 to 45,000 barrels a day. Some report that the Ixtoc One was gushing oil 20 feet into the air. No injuries or deaths were initially reported.
Oil officials seemed pleased at first, as the Ixtoc gusher may have been indicative of a large oil field in the Gulf of Mexico. However, experts were concerned about the spill's effect on its environment. Some predicted the oil to reach the coasts of Texas.
The New York Times reported on the variety of methods used by cleanup crews, including dispersant chemicals, skimmers, and floating barriers. Red Adair, a renowned oil capping specialist from Houston, Texas, headed to the scene.
Elsewhere, the local population remained passively concerned, worried that ecological damage might impact nearby fishing industry.
This is a terrible accident, but so far we've not had an impact from it. We may be like somebody falling off a 40-story building and as he passes the 20th floor, he says, 'Don't worry, nothing's happened.'
Initial capping procedures failed on July 5, however Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) representatives remained optimistic. After Red Adair's attempt to turn off a well also failed, a new strategy was set, involving the drilling of two new wells to divert the flow of oil into tanker ships.
On July 31, the Los Angeles Times featured a story about the plight of baby turtles during the spill. Almost 10,000 turtles were cleaned and let loose in safer seas. However, scientists said the real rate of success will only be known years later, if the affected generation returns to lay a new generation of eggs.
Williams Clements, governor of Texas, encouraged the people of his state to uphold a "good neighbor policy" with Mexico, asking those affected to refrain from suing for damages.
The Coast Guard reported that the most heavily oiled section was 240 miles south of the Rio Grande.
A pipeline blew out in November that year, further complicating efforts to fix the spil, according to UPI.
Nine months after the spill began, the well was spewing less and less oil into the Gulf of Mexico, but it still wasn't yet capped. The New York Times reported that the total cost of the Ixtoc was estimated around $225 million and lawsuits filed by south Texas communities totaled close to $365 million.
Experts remained divided regarding PEMEX's response, with some lauding the company for exhausting all available technological solutions, and others considering their methods vain attempts.
Ultimately, two relief wells had to be drilled to redirect the spill. This only took effect three months after the first relief well was completed.
Funding for research wasn’t immediately available after the spill, leaving the effects to the area largely unexamined. Studies conducted decades later revealed that some species that suffered after Ixtoc have not rebounded.
