A strategic approach to volumetric control

Mexico

Jose Luis Suárez, general manager of Pifusa, talks to The Energy Year about the company’s strategic approach to volumetric control and energy-related manufacturing in Mexico and its plans for expansion. Pifusa is a Mexican company that designs and manufactures fluid and temperature control systems.

How have volumetric control rules and compliance evolved in Mexico in recent years?
Volumetric controls began after the 2013 energy reform. CNH [National Hydrocarbons Commission] and CRE [Energy Regulatory Commission] wanted to regulate in a more precise way the volumes that were being handled in the industry, and volumetric controls became more rigorous. You see, many installations in Mexico are 40 or 50 years old and require some sort of volumetric control, and there are also many permit holders. That means that regulators could not audit all the installations and companies and report to the government which ones were complying with the rules.
The reality is that, for years, there were no penalties or incentives to make companies comply with their volumetric obligations, but with the SAT’s tax reform in 2019 for volumetric controls, it released annexes 30, 31 and 32, which require taxpayers to comply with better measurement of hydrocarbons.
However, this changed radically in January 2025. The government mandated that companies have to comply with the volumetric rules established, and those that do not will face harsh consequences such as fines.
It has always been difficult to know if one is being delivered the exact amount of product they paid for, and there was also no way to measure the quality of the product. How can clients know what they are buying if there is no proper way to measure volume or quality? We all know the problems caused by huachicoleo [fuel theft] in Mexico. Without proper controls, millions of dollars are lost.

Tell us about the role Pifusa plays in the country’s volumetric control arena.
Since the energy reform, Pifusa has invested in volumetric control, aligning with established obligations and compliance standards. We offer turnkey solutions, conducting comprehensive diagnostics to assess client compliance. Initially, our business faced challenges due to widespread non-compliance and lack of penalties. However, the 2025 regulatory changes have led to a surge in demand for our services.
We provide measurement systems adhering to international standards, essential for monitoring fluid flow in oil and gas processes. We offer clients a computer system that analyses and measures product volumes and flows, supplying them with necessary data for internal and SAT reporting. To prevent data manipulation, we’ve developed tailored, encrypted software solutions, customised to each operation.

What is the company’s position as a local integrator in the hydrocarbons market?
With over 50 years in the market, Pifusa manufactures various differential pressure meters and instrumentation devices for hydrocarbons – crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products. We’ve expanded to produce instrumentation, control and extension cables.
Our expertise in regulatory standards and acquisition of international certifications – API, AGA, ASME, ISO – has cemented our reputation for quality. Specialising in manufacturing measurement skids has established us as key integrators nationally. We combine domestically produced components with imported equipment, assembling skids with qualified welders handling all mechanical aspects.
Strategic alliances with manufacturers and suppliers, such as valve producers, enable us to meet diverse client needs, including rotary, turbine and ultrasonic meters. Today, we stand among the country’s leading integrators.

How significant is national content for working in Mexico, and how equipped is Pifusa to deliver turnkey projects?
Our manufacturing represents at least 60% of the final product, with the remaining 40% corresponds to the integration of foreign equipment or materials. National content is crucial for collaborating with Mexican entities such as Pemex and Cenagas, so we ensure at least 60% national content. The remaining technologies are predominantly European or American. We manufacture and integrate in our own plant, positioning ourselves as prominent national integrators.
Measurement skids have become one of our star products, but now clients seek comprehensive solutions, including civil work, skid mounting plates and complete station delivery encompassing civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. While we handle certain aspects internally, we hire people for some of it, expanding our service offerings and capabilities.
Initially, we manufactured small-scale skids for filtering and measurement, but now we are capable of assembling entire stations. This progression has led to securing turnkey projects with Cenagas, such as the 70-meter-long Arguelles station, which we fully constructed and integrated.

Could you highlight recent projects the company has undertaken for public and private companies in Mexico?
In recent years, we’ve focused on working with private players, such as ICA, Engie and Naturgy. For Engie, we modernised the Venta de Carpio station, a critical project supplying gas to the Mexico Valley. This successful project fostered an ongoing collaboration. In 2020, Cenagas initiated various bids; we secured the Paso del Toro station project in Veracruz, presenting the best technical and economic proposal.
In mid-2023, we won the MXN 90-million [USD 4.41-million] contract to construct the Ojo Caliente station for Cenagas. We also developed the Arguelles station, a vital asset importing over 15% of natural gas from Texas, enhancing its capacity for future import increases; this project was valued at MXN 106 million [USD 5.2 million]. Collectively, these contracts, totalling MXN 200 million [USD 9.8 million], have bolstered our credibility and capabilities.
We’re open to collaborating with state-owned companies, anticipating substantial energy sector investments. Recently, we’ve secured two contracts with Pemex to supply equipment for the Poza Rica refinery: a MXN 10-million [USD 490,000] contract for hose supplies and a MXN 115-million [USD 5.64-million] contract for instrumentation and orifice plates. While we’ve focused a lot on state-owned companies, we’re also looking to engage with private players in the industry. We are already involved in liquefied gas, as our solutions are perfectly adapted to LNG.

What are your expansion plans for the next two to five years?
Our vision is to continue to enhance our factory capabilities by expanding our physical infrastructure to accommodate larger projects from 2027 onwards, including establishing an additional warehouse. This expansion will enable us to develop complete storage terminals; we already possess the capability to fabricate tanks – from small to pressurised – with the highest quality, certified by ASME.
Parallel to this, we plan to strengthen our engineering expertise by increasing our team of welders and technical staff to lead future projects of this type. We’re also pursuing alliances with manufacturers of pipes and other materials, not just equipment. We have an ambitious roadmap but we have confidence in achieving these goals successfully.

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