HomeBusiness
BusinessNews

Pemex crude oil export revenue rose in August; production still lags

Cat Rainsford
By Cat Rainsford
0
Pemex Platform
Export revenues at the state-owned firm rose almost 10% last month, thanks to increased oil prices. (Pemex/X)

State-owned oil producer Pemex exported US $2.6 billion of crude oil in August, up 10% from the US $2.3 billion reported in July – Mexico’s highest value of monthly crude exports since July 2022.

The increase was mostly due to higher international prices for crude oil. Average export prices in August were at their highest since last November at US $76.10 per barrel, up 7.5% from the US $70.77 reported in July.

Shenzi oil drilling platform off coast of Louisiana
Overall oil production remains lower than in 2018, when President López Obrador first assumed office, despite energy independence being a key policy goal of his administration. (Woodside)

The volume of crude exports also increased by 2.2%, from 1.52 million barrels per day (bpd) in July to 1.76 million bpd in August. Pemex reported that 72% of exports went to the Americas, 13% to Europe, and the remainder to other continents.

Pemex’s total crude production also showed a slight monthly increase of 1.8%, reaching 1.6 million bpd, a figure 5.2% lower than August 2022, and lower than production in April, May and June this year.

Despite President López Obrador’s efforts to increase Pemex’s productivity, crude production has trended downward from the 1.8 million bpd reported when he began his presidency in 2018.

Pemex has also struggled with several incidents in recent months, including a deadly fire on an offshore platform and a leak at a major export terminal in July.

Pemex Fire
Pemex has been affected by a number of accidents this year, which have affected production. (Ángel Hérnandez/Cuartoscuro)

However, Pemex’s overall hydrocarbon production was up 5.6% annually in August to 1.88 million bpd thanks to greater production of condensates – a lower-density form of oil. Pemex’s condensate production in August was 277,000 bpd in August, the lowest so far this year, although still 214% higher than August last year.

“It should be noted that so far this year the production of liquid hydrocarbons has remained above the barrier of 1.8 billion bpd, despite the incidents that were registered,” Pemex said.

In total, Pemex exported US $2.88 billion of oil, natural gas and petrochemical products in August and imported US $2.71 billion, leaving a trade surplus of US $171 million.

Mexico’s overall exports also performed well in August, according to the national statistics agency (INEGI), increasing 3.8% year-on-year.

With reports from Forbes and El Economista

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Mercado Libre van in front of SEARS store

Mercado Libre announces a US $4.6B investment in Mexico this year

MND Staff - 0
It marks the e-commerce giant's third straight year of increased Mexican investment and could translate into 8,500 new jobs, bringing its Mexican employment total to more than 42,000.
estela de luz protest

Activists climb a Mexico City monument to proclaim that human rights are ‘also in play’

MND Staff - 0
The choice of the phrase "in play" (en juego) in reference to human rights was seemingly meant to call attention to how little notice they are getting compared to the World Cup games.
The heightened security in and around Mexico City's Historic Center, due to threats of protests and the construction of the FIFA Fan Festival in the Zócalo, is frustrating business owners, who claim there is no foot traffic.

At least 7 protest marches plan to descend on Mexico City Stadium during World Cup opener

MND Staff - 0
Protesters — who include searching mothers, teachers, retirees, healthcare workers, farmers, anti-gentrification activists and transportation workers — are expected to arrive at the stadium just as the Mexico vs. South Africa match is starting.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity

VIDEO OF THE WEEK