Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Natural Gas Country Notes

The Mexican WEC Member Committee reports that proved recoverable reserves at end-2005 were 14 557 bcf (412 bcm), reflecting the level of 'remaining proved reserves of dry natural gas' stated by Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) in their Informe Estadístico de Labores 2005. Within the total amount of proved reserves, 43% are located in the southern region, 30% in the northern region, 17% in the marine north-east region and 10% in the marine south-west region. Pemex also provides estimates of two further resource categories: 'probable reserves' of 15 246 bcf (432 bcm) and 'possible reserves' of 16 912 bcf (479 bcm).

Production of natural gas has been on a slowly declining trend in recent years. The greater part of Mexico's gas production (66.5% in 2005) is associated with crude oil output, mostly in the southern producing areas, both onshore and offshore.

The Mexican WEC Member Committee reports that Pemex is carrying out a major exploration programme for natural gas. This has been spurred by the large increase in natural gas utilisation for electricity generation in the last decade. At present, one regasification plant (0.5 bcf/d) is operating in the Gulf of Mexico importing LNG, and another is being built on the Pacific coast near the US border.

The largest outlet for gas is as power station fuel (45% of total inland disposals in 2004); industrial fuel/feedstock 30%; the energy industry consumed about 23%, and households about 2%. Mexico habitually exports relatively small amounts of gas to the USA and imports somewhat larger quantities.