When it comes to energy, it’s safe to say Mexico has enjoyed a run of luck in the past.
In fact, ‘luck’ is the only way to describe what happens when a local fisherman starts complaining about oil seepage spoiling his fishing nets… only to discover one of the world’s largest oil fields.
Mexico’s good fortune lasted three decades, right up to the moment they decided to place the field on nitrogen injection in 2000. Production began its steep decline only four years later.
Thankfully, they have a good neighbor to help lend a hand…
U.S. petroleum exports to Mexico have increased 123% since 2006.
Although Pemex is only now beginning to stabilize the production decline (it’s actually projected to increase slightly by 2018), the country will soon have to deal with a second crisis that’s building. And luck won’t save them this time.
Sparking a Gas Crisis
Mexico is developing a taste for natural gas. Demand has been increasing steadily since the 1990s, yet the country’s production has always managed to keep pace.
At least, it was until about eight years ago.
When gas demand is growing by 4% a year and production only 1.5%, they’re bound to run into a problem…
As it stands now, Mexico’s demand is more than six billion cubic feet per day. That may not seem like much to us, but Mexico’s growing industrial demand will push it to new heights going forward.
To make up for the shortfall in supply, Mexico has resorted to something it’s always done when it needs a little help. They turned to Uncle Sam.
And we’ve responded in kind: U.S gas exports to Mexico have jumped to a record 1.69 billion cubic feet per day in 2012. That amount could double to 3.5 billion cubic feet per day by the end of 2014.
The scary part is U.S. gas exports make up nearly one-third of Mexico’s supply.
What would happen if our exports were sent elsewhere?
You should already know that this is precisely what’s about to happen. In 2015, the first U.S. LNG export facility will start sending shipments abroad, and those tankers won’t be headed for Mexico…
Pemex’s Last Hope
Why ship our gas overseas?
A better question is why not. The average price of shipping natural gas to Mexico via pipeline is abysmal. In 2012, the average price per thousand cubic feet was $2.94 (click chart to enlarge).
The cheap gas flowing south from the United States is having an effect on Mexico’s production, all thanks to our glut of shale gas.
Pemex reported up to 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas production is sitting idle. Adding insult to injury is the fact that the country is sitting on a wealth of shale gas — nearly as much as the United States, in fact.
When it comes to shale resources, our usual conversations revolve around China and the U.S. Rarely do we hear about the 681 trillion cubic feet of recoverable shale gas lying beneath Mexican soil. Only China, Argentina, and the U.S. can boast more.
Of course, Mexican gas production is doomed to fail because it is impossible for private companies to step in and develop natural gas projects. But that could change. For the right price, Pemex expects to drill up to two dozen shale gas wells this year.
Until the state-run oil and gas company gets a lucky break, however, there are better ways to invest in Mexico’s growing gas crisis…
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Three Ways to Play
The EIA tipped its hat recently, showing us where future U.S. gas exports to Mexico will originate.
I have a feeling you won’t be shocked to learn Texas will play a major role:
Approximately 2.1 billion cubic feet per day in planned pipeline projects for exporting gas to Mexico are expected to come online by next year.
On the production side, EOG Resources appears strong, holding the largest land position in the Eagle Ford.
We can take things a step further with the infrastructure investments that stand to gain the most from growing gas exports to Mexico, specifically pipeline stocks.
Last October, Sempra inked a long-term contract with Mexico’s largest utility company to build and operate a 329-mile natural gas pipeline. Strictly sticking to the Eagle Ford, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners significantly boosted its presence in the play after recently increasing its ownership in El Paso.
In all three cases, these plays have delivered:
On the U.S side, there are few ways to use our supply glut to your advantage.
The trick is finding the investments that are set to take off — no matter how low natural gas prices fall. Tapping into the trillions of dollars of shale gas is the catalyst for these investments to go gangbusters for early investors.
Until next time,
Keith Kohl
Check us out on YouTube!A true insider in the technology and energy markets, Keith’s research has helped everyday investors capitalize from the rapid adoption of new technology trends and energy transitions. Keith connects with hundreds of thousands of readers as the Managing Editor of Energy & Capital, as well as the investment director of Angel Publishing’s Energy Investor and Technology and Opportunity.
For nearly two decades, Keith has been providing in-depth coverage of the hottest investment trends before they go mainstream — from the shale oil and gas boom in the United States to the red-hot EV revolution currently underway. Keith and his readers have banked hundreds of winning trades on the 5G rollout and on key advancements in robotics and AI technology.
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