Pemex's Texas refinery produces more than Mexico's domestic plants

Pemex's Deer Park refinery in Texas is outperforming Mexico's domestic refineries, producing more than 287,000 barrels of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel daily in the first quarter of 2026. This output dwarfs the combined production of Mexico's seven refineries, which collectively employ over 21,000 workers.

The Texas facility operates at an 84% capacity utilization rate, a stark contrast to the 37% capacity used by the refineries in Mexico. Tula refinery is the second-highest producer in Mexico, generating 170,000 barrels per day with 3,439 workers, followed by Dos Bocas at 146,000 barrels with 1,700 employees.

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it is not technically adequate to compare the performance of Deer Park directly with the refineries located in the country, arguing that the complexes were designed under different conditions, with different configurations, levels of complexity, and operational strategies.

Pemex argues that a direct comparison is not technically appropriate, citing differing designs, complexity, and operational strategies. The company also noted that Deer Park, established in 1930, relies heavily on over 1,200 contractors for maintenance and projects, bringing its total operational workforce to around 2,200, which can increase significantly during major maintenance periods.

Despite Pemex's explanation, the article notes the company did not explicitly address potential productivity issues in Mexican refineries or whether it plans to adopt aspects of Deer Park's operational model. Analysts suggest that the excess personnel in Mexico's refineries may stem from decades of accumulated labor structures.

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Deer Park, inaugurated in 1930, operates with about a thousand own employees, but permanently resorts to more than 1,200 contractors for maintenance, inspection and projects, so during its normal operation about 2,200 people work, “which can increase considerably during major maintenance”.