CAYO ARCAS TERMINAL

  • MXCAT
  • Latitude: 20.184
  • Longitude: -91.9764
  • Gulf of Mexico
  • Offshore Terminal in Mexico

Location: Mexico

Cayo Arcas Terminal - Mexico

Overview:

Cayo Arcas is an offshore oil terminal located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 150 kilometers (around 93 miles) northwest of Ciudad del Carmen and 190 kilometers (around 118 miles) from the coast of the Mexican state of Campeche. The terminal serves as a crucial infrastructure point for the exportation of crude oil produced by PEMEX (Petróleos Mexicanos), Mexico's state-owned petroleum company.

Terminal Specifications:

1. Location:

  • Coordinates: Approximately 20°17' N latitude and 91°54' W longitude.
  • Proximity: Roughly 150 km from Ciudad del Carmen and 190 km from the coast.

2. Functionality:

  • Primary Use: Export of crude oil.
  • Operator: PEMEX.

3. Terminal Infrastructure:

  • Mooring Points: Single Point Moorings (SPMs) or catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoys for the loading of vessels.
  • Loading Facilities: Equipped with underwater pipelines connected to the FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) units or directly from offshore production platforms.
  • Storage Capacity: Onboard storage on FPSO units and some floating storage.

4. Vessels:

  • Capacity: Able to accommodate large crude oil tankers, including VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers).
  • Draft: Deep waters to handle large vessels; draft specifications can typically handle depths greater than 20 meters, suitable for large tankers.
  • Navigation: Managed under strict maritime guidelines to ensure the safe and efficient mooring of vessels.

5. Services:

  • Pilotage: Mandatory pilotage for navigating to and from mooring points.
  • Tug Assistance: Tugs available to assist in the mooring and unmooring of tankers.
  • Marine Services: Regular maintenance and inspection of mooring equipment and pipelines.

6. Environmental and Safety Measures:

  • Oil Spill Contingency: Equipped with oil spill response plans and resources.
  • Environmental Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of maritime conditions and environmental impacts.
  • Safety Protocols: Adherence to national and international maritime safety standards, including regular drills and training for emergency situations.

Navigation and Approach:

1. Shipping Routes:

  • Subsidiary routes connect the Gulf of Mexico's maritime channels to international shipping lanes.

2. Navigational Aids:

  • Buoys, beacons, and electronic navigation systems guide vessels to and from the mooring points.
  • Monitoring control towers provide real-time data and communication to incoming and outgoing ships.

Points of Contact:

1. Terminal Operator:

  • PEMEX Maritime Operations.
  • Contact: Through PEMEX's main operational offices or maritime coordination office.

2. Port Authority:

  • Local maritime authority coordination with PEMEX for overall port management and operation.

3. Emergency Contact:

  • Onsite emergency services for spill response and safety incidents.
  • Coordinated with national maritime safety authorities.

Additional Information:

  • Cayo Arcas Terminal plays a significant role in Mexico's oil export capacity, contributing to global crude oil supply.
  • Engagement in modernization and maintenance programs to ensure the terminal meets evolving maritime safety and environmental standards.

This information offers a comprehensive look at the operational and structural framework of the Cayo Arcas Terminal, emphasizing its importance in the maritime and petroleum sectors.

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