MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (By Fidencio Casillas, Editores Latin Petroleum, 24.Sep.2026, Words: 548) — Mexico’s National Agency for Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection of the Hydrocarbons Sector (ASEA) reports the environmental impact authorization for the Amigo LNG liquefaction and storage terminal project in Guaymas, Sonora, was issued on 13 Apr. 2026, and notified to the applicant on 14 Apr., prior to the suspensions issued in May 2026 in the “amparo” lawsuit 352/2026.
The environmental assessment began with the application submitted on 26 Nov. 2025. The project was published the following day in ASEA’s Ecological Gazette. After receiving a citizen request on 15 Dec. 2025, the agency published the notice of the start of the public consultation on 12 Feb. 2026.
The consultation took place from 13 Feb. 2026 to 13 Mar. 2026, according to the ASEA, the agency said in a statement of 24 Sep. 2026.
During that period, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) were available for public review. 4,804 electronic applications were registered.
As part of the evaluation, ASEA requested opinions from the relevant authorities. After completing the technical and legal review, it issued the authorization with conditions that took into account these opinions and the comments received during the public consultation.
Resolution stipulations
The resolution establishes specific measures to protect the biodiversity of the Gulf of California: it prohibits construction work in the marine zone from Dec. to Apr. and limits the number of LNG tanker arrivals to 60 per year along the project route.
It also requires monitoring the effects of noise on marine mammals, as well as tracking turtles, dolphins, sharks, and rays.
The project proponent must submit a program to monitor the conservation status of the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, a World Heritage Site, and another compensation plan to protect the islands’ biodiversity; the latter must be approved before any work or activities related to the project begin.
Regarding the injunction proceedings, 2 civil associations filed a lawsuit on 4 Mar. 2026, related to aspects of the public consultation. The lawsuit was admitted on 13 May 2026, and the initial request for a preliminary injunction was denied.
The ASEA submitted its preliminary report on 20 May 2026. Subsequently, on 25 May 2026, a provisional suspension was granted, followed by a definitive suspension on 27 May 2026, both ordering the responsible authorities to refrain from issuing a resolution regarding the environmental assessment.
By the time these suspensions were issued, the authorization had already been granted and notified. Therefore, the order to refrain from issuing it could not be enforced with respect to an act carried out previously.
The authorization was not part of the initial dispute; it was incorporated through the third amendment to the lawsuit, notified to ASEA on 4 Sep. 2026, and is currently among the issues to be resolved by the Federal Judiciary.
“ASEA shares the interest in protecting the Gulf of California and its marine life. It reiterates its commitment to citizen participation, access to environmental justice, and the evaluation of hydrocarbon sector projects in accordance with the legal framework and applicable judicial rulings,” the agency said.
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By Fidencio Casillas reporting from Mexico City. © 1999-2026 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI) and its 100% owned Venezuelan affiliate Editores Latin Petroleum CA. All Rights Reserved.