Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has signaled a significant shift in her position on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, according to multiple reports. During her regular morning press conference, Sheinbaum acknowledged that new technologies make the extraction method less environmentally harmful and could help boost domestic gas output.
Key Takeaways
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has softened her stance on fracking, now supporting new technologies that reduce environmental impact to boost domestic gas production. This shift aims to decrease reliance on U.S. imports and strengthen energy sovereignty.
- Sheinbaum acknowledges a departure from previous opposition to fracking
- New extraction methods with lower environmental impacts will be evaluated by a technical committee
- Pemex estimates Mexico has 64 billion barrels of crude oil equivalent in unconventional reserves
- Government aims to increase domestic gas production and reduce reliance on U.S. imports
The president's comments mark a departure from both her previous stance and that of her political mentor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who was a staunch opponent of fracking. According to Reuters, Sheinbaum emphasized that these are 'new extraction technologies' with lower environmental impacts. A technical committee will spend two months evaluating potential methods such as utilizing non-potable water and reducing chemical additives.
Mexico currently imports about 75% of the natural gas it consumes, mostly from Texas, which exposes the country to price volatility and geopolitical risks. As reported by UPI, Sheinbaum framed this shift as a 'responsible decision' aimed at strengthening national sovereignty and reducing dependence on foreign energy sources.
The government's strategy includes tapping into unconventional natural gas deposits, with Pemex estimating Mexico has the potential of around 64 billion barrels of crude oil equivalent in these reserves. The proposal has drawn criticism from environmental groups who warn about potential threats to aquifers and water stress in affected regions, as noted by Los Angeles Times.
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