Mexico authorizes fracking pilot test following scientific evaluation

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has authorized a pilot test for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the northern part of the country following an evaluation by a scientific committee. The committee, composed of 54 specialists and researchers from UNAM, recommended evaluating the technique specifically in the Burgos and Sabinas-Burro-Picachos basins within the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas, while advising against it in the Tampico-Misantla basin due to environmental concerns.

Sheinbaum stated that her shift in stance from previous opposition is due to new technologies that reduce freshwater use and utilize additives to minimize subsoil contamination. The initial phase involves drilling an experimental well to determine if deep saltwater exists between 1,000 and 1,500 meters; if no saltwater is found, the possibility of non-conventional gas exploitation will be closed. The government emphasized that this is a technical evaluation and not a decision to authorize commercial exploitation.

However, Alicia Bárcena, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), noted during a congressional appearance that Mexico is not currently in a position to implement fracking due to complexities, particularly regarding water usage. She emphasized that any potential process must avoid using water for human or agricultural consumption, avoid toxic chemicals, and prioritize the use of saline water with a 75 percent recycling rate. Bárcena also highlighted a lack of resources within Profepa for necessary monitoring and inspections.