Mexico's energy reforms: Is the country now open for business?

Our recent conversation, sponsored by Shell, about Mexican energy reform featured experts across the spectrum, Justin Miller of Nexant, Adriaan Kamp, and Thomas Tunstall. In August 2014, Mexico enacted a series of comprehensive energy reform laws, promising to radically transform the electricity and oil and gas sectors.

Long controlled by state-owned companies, Mexican President Peña Nieto intended the reforms to open his nation's energy sector for new private and international investment. Recently updated and revised, the new reforms will go into effect in a partial rollout beginning September 1.

The panelists agreed that the changes promise significant change, particularly to the ability for international investors to become involved in finding new sources of energy and infrastructure improvement. Thomas Tunstall discussed how Mexico could match south Texas in shale production, but the near term opportunity clearly exists in deep water exploration. Justin Miller pointed to recent signs of openness such as the Enova Wind Farm in Baja, as well as a significant improvement in transmission in Chihuaha. Adriaan Kamp made a compelling case for Mexico to remain focused on its more vulnerable populations when it came to following its own sustainability laws as it opens up its power industry, and to bringing more collaboration between industry and government to make the right decisions.

http://www.theenergycollective.com/robertrapier/2265114/mexicos-energy-reforms-country-now-open-business-podcast