Mexico energy liberalisation pushes on

Despite the downturn, Mexico is pressing ahead with plans to open its energy sector

Mexico’s energy reformers turned out in force at IHS CERAWeek in Houston this year, led by president Enrique Peña Nieto. They brought a clear message: the oil downturn isn’t going to knock the country’s oil opening off course. “No matter what happens with the international context, the reforms will go ahead,” Peña Nieto said. “Now is not the time to stop.” The reform process has come under heavy pressure at home, where opponents have seized on the low oil price to cast doubt over whether the reforms can succeed in transforming the moribund energy sector. At the same time, potential international investors have started to wonder whether the government will be able to sustain the pace of refor