A cyberattack on computer networks of the Mexican national oil company Pemex is "totally under control" and did not have any negative consequences, Security Minister Alfonso Durazo said on Nov. 14.
The attack was first detected on Nov. 10 and over several days since has halted some administrative work, including the processing of payments, but Pemex said its oil and gas operations were not harmed.
Durazo, speaking with reporters, described the impact as "without consequences." An investigation into the hack was underway, he said.
While Durazo sought to minimize the impact, several Pemex employees said, however, that operations were still not up and running as usual.
Finance Minister Arturo Herrera said the attack did not hit systems that store confidential information, but only the personal computers of some employees.
"It's a warning that we have to be careful with all our information," said Herrera.
In one Pemex office building, entire floors of computers were wiped out, said one worker who spoke on condition of anonymity, adding, "We're still not operating normally."
Another Pemex employee, who was also not authorized to speak to reporters, said networks remained down and some workers had resorted to using old laptops to "half-way work."
Energy Minister Rocio Nahle said on Nov. 13 that Pemex would not pay a ransom demanded by the suspected hackers. Hackers have told Reuters they demanded about $5 million in bitcoin from the firm, which is struggling to pay down massive debt, reverse years of declining oil output and avoid further downgrades to its credit.
Recommended Reading
Green Swan Seeks US Financing for Global Decarbonization Projects
2024-02-21 - Green Swan, an investment platform seeking to provide capital to countries signed on to the Paris Agreement, is courting U.S. investors to fund decarbonization projects in countries including Iran and Venezuela, its executives told Hart Energy.
Analyst Questions Kimmeridge’s Character, Ben Dell Responds
2024-05-02 - The analyst said that “they don’t seem to be particularly good actors.” Ben Dell, Kimmeridge Energy Partners managing partner, told Hart Energy that “our reputation is unparalleled.”
U.S. Shale-catters to IPO Australian Shale Explorer on NYSE
2024-05-04 - Tamboran Resources Corp. is majority owned by Permian wildcatter Bryan Sheffield and chaired by Haynesville and Eagle Ford discovery co-leader Dick Stoneburner.
E&P Earnings Season Proves Up Stronger Efficiencies, Profits
2024-04-04 - The 2024 outlook for E&Ps largely surprises to the upside with conservative budgets and steady volumes.
Diamondback Stockholders All in for $26B Endeavor Deal
2024-04-29 - Diamondback Energy shareholders have approved the $26 billion merger with Endeavor Energy Resources.