PE Live: Easing unitisation tensions in Mexico
The outcome of upstream discussions could prove to be a turning point for the country’s energy reforms and the future of international participation
Settling unitisation disputes between Mexican state-owned oil company Pemex and several third-party operators is vitally important for the future of Mexico’s upstream sector, a panel of expert speakers agreed on a PE Live webcast last week. “How this first wave of investor-state issues, arising from the petroleum reforms, is resolved is critical for the private sector in Mexico,” says Peter Hays, partner at international law firm King & Spalding. “This is a perfect storm which people have seen coming for a long time.” Foremost in the industry’s thoughts is the dispute over the Zama discovery, the first major find following the landmark energy reforms carried out under former president En
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally






