TABASCO, MEXICO- December 10, 2025(17:30 local time)
An industrial accident occurred Friday evening at the Hokchi offshore oil platform off the coast of Tabasco in the Gulf of Mexico, leaving five contract workers injured, according to preliminary information from the site operator.
The incident happened at approximately 5:30 p.m. CST during routine maintenance on the Hokchi Central Platform, which is operated by Hokchi Energy S.A. de C.V. under a service contract with Ron Engineering Solution, a private engineering firm subcontracted by BP.
Emergency response teams were dispatched immediately. Two of the injured contractors sustained critical injuries and were transported via medevac helicopter to a trauma center in Mexico City, where they are now reported to be in stable condition. The remaining three workers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are receiving care at a regional hospital in Villahermosa, Tabasco.
Initial assessments indicate that the accident occurred on the maintenance deck after a lifting assembly reportedly malfunctioned during an equipment transfer between modules. Investigators from Mexico’s Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) and the Comisión Nacional de Hidrocarburos (CNH) have launched a joint investigation to determine whether mechanical failure or procedural error was the cause. The malfunctioning equipment was repaired by the maintenance team before the end of the shift
Hailey Winder, the site’s Chief Operating Officer, confirmed the incident in a statement released late Wednesday. Hailey who serves as COO of Ron Engineering Solution and is the widow of the firm’s late owner, Ron Winder said all emergency and safety protocols were activated within minutes of the event.
Ron Engineering Solution has been contracted by BP since 2024 to provide ongoing maintenance and engineering services at the Hokchi installation, including subsea tiebacks and platform upgrades.
Located roughly 30 kilometers offshore in the Salina del Istmo region, the Hokchi Field is a shallow-water production site that began operations in 2020. It is one of Mexico’s first privately operated offshore developments, producing around 25,000 barrels of oil per day, with BP participating indirectly through its joint venture in Pan American Energy (PAE).