Pemex's Dos Bocas Refinery Moves Toward Full Operations

---

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Pemex's Dos Bocas (Olmeca) Refinery in Tabasco, Mexico, is one of the most strategically important assets within Pemex's refining system.

As a highly complex project, it has faced several operational and reliability challenges typical of the early ramp-up phase, which have shaped its operational stabilization curve.

Key challenges identified include adjustments to the cogeneration system, impacts from regional weather conditions, particularly heavy rainfall, logistical constraints related to product dispatch through the port, as well as reliability events and mechanical issues in key process units, including the Maya crude combination unit and the catalytic unit.

The highest processing level achieved since start-up was recorded in late December 2025 and early January 2026, when both trains of the crude combination unit operated simultaneously, reaching a combined throughput of approximately 320,000 barrels per day (BBL/d). During the period between December 29 and December 30, 2025, each train operated at around 160,000 BBL/d, demonstrating the refinery's operational potential once the stabilization phase is completed.

Pemex has brought most of the refinery's units into commercial operation. However, the alkylation and butane isomerization units have not yet reached full operation and remain in the start-up and stabilization phase. This presents additional opportunities to further optimize the refining scheme and increase the production of higher-value fuels.

The Dos Bocas Refinery has a total design capacity of 340,000 BBL/d, distributed across two main processing trains, and is designed to primarily process heavy Maya crude.

As the project continues to progress along its operational maturity curve, gradual improvements in reliability, efficiency and capacity utilization are expected, reinforcing its role as a key asset in the Mexican energy market and a significant source of commercial opportunities for suppliers and strategic partners.

About IIR News Intelligence
IIR News Intelligence is a trusted source of news for the industrial process and energy markets, powered by Industrial Info Resource's Global Market Intelligence (GMI).

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).