Mexico's natural gas production could increase by up to 260% by 2035 if unconventional gas fields are developed, in a context where the country imports nearly 75% of its consumption, stated President Claudia Sheinbaum from her energy cabinet. Sheinbaum added that this scenario would allow reducing dependence on the United States and sustaining the growth in demand linked to new industrial projects.
Currently, Pemex registers a base production of 2.3 billion cubic feet per day (MMpcd), with a projection of a little over 4 billion towards the end of the six-year term. However, with the incorporation of fracking projects, national production could exceed 8 billion cubic feet per day by 2035, of which nearly 40% would come from unconventional fields.
The President promises 'responsibility and technical rigor' regarding environmental risks of fracking
President Sheinbaum noted that before making a decision, she will convene a committee of scientists and environmental specialists, which within a two-month period must issue recommendations on the best practices for the exploitation of this type of resource.
«If we are going to develop unconventional gas, it has to be done in a sustainable way, minimizing environmental impacts to the maximum,» she affirmed.
Pemex Director Víctor Rodríguez Padilla indicated that Mexico has prospective unconventional gas resources of over 141 trillion cubic feet, 70% more than conventional ones. He added that technological advances allow for extraction with greater efficiency and less impact on soil and aquifers.
«Sustainable extraction of natural gas from these fields implies significant environmental challenges; we must assume them with responsibility, technical rigor, and above all, with a commitment to communities and their environment,» he said.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of Energy, Luz Elena González, warned that the demand for this fuel will continue to increase due to the development of new combined-cycle power generation projects, the expansion of fertilizer production, and the Development Poles.
«At the end of the six-year term, we expect the demand for natural gas to increase by about 30%,» she pointed out.
Mexico depends on the US for natural gas supply
In 2025, Mexico registered an average consumption of 9.1 billion cubic feet of this energy source per day, of which 6.8 billion corresponded to imports, mainly from the United States, which is equivalent to nearly 75% of the total.
However, even with the development of unconventional fields, President Sheinbaum acknowledged that the country will hardly stop importing natural gas in the short term.
«Will gas imports end? No, hardly, because we import a lot, but little by little, these decisions take time, (it will take) 10 to 15 years to be able to develop this type of gas production,» indicated the head of state.
Although natural gas is considered worldwide a transitional fuel towards a cleaner energy matrix, the Mexican government will seek to increase the participation of renewable energies.
«Currently, we produce 24% of our energy from renewable sources, but what we want is to accelerate production to reach 38%,» clarified Luz Elena González.
Prospective unconventional gas resources are mainly concentrated in the Sabinas-Burro Picachos, Burgos, and Tampico-Misantla basins.
