ExxonMobil enters Mexico fuel sector

SANTIAGO DE QUERÉTARO, December 7, 2017 – ExxonMobil is partnering with Mexico’s Grupo Orsan in the country’s fuel retail sector, the US super-major announced Wednesday in a press statement.

The companies will jointly open a network of eight Mobil-branded retail stations in Querétero this week, and an additional 50 across the Bajio region by the end of Q1 2018. The stations will sell ExxonMobil’s Synergy line of fuels.

“The opening of these first eight Mobil service stations, made possible by Mexico’s new energy policy regime, is a significant milestone for the country and our company,” Carlos Rivas, fuels director for ExxonMobil Mexico, said in the statement.

Under the ExxonMobil-Grupo Orsan partnership, the super-major will be responsible for importing supplies by rail and providing the stations with petrol and diesel sourced from its Texas refinery, while the Mexican firm will operate the network.

“Orsan’s partnership with ExxonMobil will increase our competitiveness in the fully deregulated fuels market, supported by a globally prestigious brand like Mobil and a unique marketing offer designed to attract consumers,” said Grupo Orsan CEO Carlos Sandoval.

All fuel shipments for the stations will be transported by rail through terminals in San Jose Iturbide and San Luis Potosí. As such, over the next decade, the company plans to invest USD 300 million in the country to shore up logistics and product inventories.

Though it is following several other foreign players into the sector, including BP, Total and Chevron, ExxonMobil became the first private company to import fuel, bringing in 113,000 barrels for its stations in late November. A second 60,000-barrel shipment reached Mexico on December 2.

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