<article><p><i>Updates storm data.</i></p><p class="lead">Mexico's 330,000 b/d Salina Cruz refinery will face strong winds and heavy rain from Hurricane Agatha as it came ashore on the country's Pacific coast today.</p><p>Agatha made landfall along the coast of southern Mexico just west of Puerto Angel at around 3:30pm ET on 30 May, just 200 miles southwest of Salina Cruz. It is the first Category 2 hurricane recorded in the area and could cause "extremely dangerous coastal flooding from storm surge accompanied by large and destructive waves, near and to east of… landfall," according to the US National Weather Service.</p><p>As of 4pm ET Agatha had sustained winds of 105 mph. Tropical storm conditions will spread eastward within the warning area through tonight, which includes the area around the Salina Cruz refinery. The storm is expected to dissipate on 31 May through the mountain region of Oaxaca.</p><p>The Salina Cruz refinery, which processed 170,200 b/d of crude in April, is key in the federal government's goal of making Mexico self-sufficient in fuel.</p><p>Remnants of the storm could pass over the 285,000 b/d Minatitlan refinery on the eastern coast of Mexico. </p><p>State-owned Pemex did not disclose any plans to prepare the refineries for the storms or announce any closures of operations. The company did not respond to a request for comment.</p><p>Pemex trading arm PMI booked four medium-range (MR) clean tankers for deliveries to Mexico's west coast on 27 May, and has been much more active than usual in the spot market to import clean products into Mexico. The bookings happened two days after an <a href="http://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2336259">earthquake temporarily shut Salina Cruz</a>. Pemex said it quickly controlled a fire there caused by the earthquake. Oaxaca state police said refinery operations resumed as usual after a brief interruption.</p><p>Oaxaca's governor Alejandro Murat suspended all schools in 60 municipalities near the coasts ahead of the hurricane, and warned of the storm's likely severity. The state government has opened up emergency communications with all cities, the federal government, Mexico's marines and the National Guard.</p><p class="bylines">By Sergio Meana</p></article>
