In addition to the reform, one of the biggest drivers of change in Mexico’s energy industry is growing demand for natural gas. Consumption is expected to rise by 64% between 2013 and 2027. Since 2010, Mexico’s gas imports from the USA have grown by 300%, and the US Energy Information Administration predicts they will double by 2019. Demand is outpacing storage and distribution capacity, a problem that spurred the government to lay out the Five-Year National Integrated Natural Gas Transportation and Storage Plan 2015-2019 which aimed to expand the natural gas pipeline network.
Despite being a crude oil exporter, Mexico has been a net fuel importer since 1998. Pemex has taken steps to stem losses downstream, by partnering with private investors for upgrades and expansions at several of its ageing refineries. Additionally, the country’s new president is promoting a project to build a new mega-refinery in Tabasco. The liberalisation of fuel prices across the country was completed in November 30, 2017. That, coupled with fuel demand growth, has created an environment in which local and foreign, small and large fuel retailers can prosper. In March 2017, BP became the first private foreign fuel retailer in the Mexican market. Since then, several others have entered the sector.
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