US Piped-gas Exports to Mexico up 5% Week-over-Week

(Pietro D. Pitts, Energy Analytics Institute, 12.Dec.2024) — US piped exports of natural gas to Mexico averaged 6.4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in the week ended 11 Dec. 2024, up week-over-week and year-over-year, according to data published by the US-based Energy Information Administration (EIA).

US piped-gas exports to Mexico rose 4.9% compared to 6.1 Bcf/d the prior week, and 0.7% compared to 6 Bcf/d in the same week in 2023, the EIA said 12 Dec. 2024 in a weekly gas update on its website.

Mexico relies on US piped-gas to fulfill domestic demand as production from Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) is insufficient to cover the Latin American country’s needs, necessitating imports. 

Demand for US piped-gas in Mexico will remain robust owing to ongoing operational and financial issues at Pemex. The heavily indebted state-owned company continues to struggle to halt a long-term declines in both gas and oil production, despite upticks in recent years.

Additionally, at least 5 liquefaction plants on Mexico’s Pacific Coast are planned by a handful of developers. These plants will use Permian feedgas and only boost Mexico’s demand and reliance on US piped-gas. However, only one project, led by Sempra Infrastructure, is slated to start exporting gas on Mexico’s Pacific Coast in coming years, early 2026 to be more exact.

____________________

By Pietro D. Pitts reporting from Houston. © Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.