Christopher joined NGI as a Senior Editor for Mexico and Latin America in November, 2018. Prior to that, he was a Senior Editorial Manager at BNamericas in Santiago, Chile. Based out of Santiago, he has covered Latin American energy markets since 2009 as a reporter, editor and analyst. He has an MA in International Economic Policy from Columbia University and a BA in International Studies from Trinity College.
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Articles from Christopher Lenton
Mexico Railway Line Seizure Rattles Private Sector During Moment of ‘Great Opportunity’
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s government claimed inefficiencies in supply chains were behind a recent and temporary nationalization of private assets. Last Friday, the military seized part of a rail line owned by Grupo Mexico SAB unit Ferromex in the southern state of Veracruz. The railway is part of the Interoceanic Corridor project crossing…
May 23, 2023
G-7 Leaders Back ‘Important Role’ of Natural Gas in Confronting Energy Challenges
Heads of state from the Group of Seven (G7) economically advanced nations emphasized the need to “accelerate the phase out of our dependency on Russian energy” in a statement this weekend at the conclusion of a summit held in Hiroshima, Japan. Stressing “the global impact of Russia’s war on energy supplies, gas prices and inflation,…
May 22, 2023
North American Natural Gas Prices Gaining Momentum on Upstream Pullback – Mexico Spotlight
North American natural gas prices saw gains in four of the last five sessions amid signs of a tightening market. On Thursday, the June North American Mercantile Exchange gas futures contract leapt 22.7 cents day/day to close at $2.592/MMBtu. July gained 20.6 cents to $2.715. Last week, the Baker Hughes Co. rig count revealed a…
May 18, 2023
Alaska LNG Decision Upheld as Decade-Old Project Clears Legal Hurdle
A federal appeals court has upheld FERC’s approval of the Alaska LNG project, denying a new challenge from environmental groups that sought to halt the 2.6 Bcf/d facility’s advance. On Tuesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (DC Circuit) “denied in part and dismissed in part” an appeal from the…
May 18, 2023
Argentina’s YPF Still Upping Oil, Gas Production Despite Tricky Macro Environment
Executives at Argentina’s state oil and gas firm YPF SA in an earnings call acknowledged the difficult economic environment in the country but said upstream plans remained unchanged. Hydrocarbon production hit 511,000 boe/d in the first quarter of 2023, up 1% year/year. Shale oil and natural gas led the way, mainly from the Vaca Muerta…
May 16, 2023
PHMSA Seeks Stricter Methane Emissions Regulation on Natural Gas Infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is proposing a new rule to improve the detection and repair of leaks from gas pipelines. The proposed rule would apply to pipelines as well as natural gas storage and liquefied natural gas facilities, according to PHMSA. “Quick detection of methane leaks is…
May 11, 2023
Latin American Nations Seen Needing More Natural Gas Imports Over Next Decade
Most Latin American nations will need to rely on natural gas imports to meet rising demand in the coming years, according to a new analysis from Wood Mackenzie. With several challenges facing gas developments in the region, supply will be unable to keep up with demand, driving the need for expanded imports, according to analysts.…
May 9, 2023
LNG Projects Grabbing Attention Amid Sagging Natural Gas Prices – Mexico Spotlight
North American natural gas futures prices dropped for four straight sessions this week in a market flush with supplies. On Thursday, the June New York Mercantile Exchange gas futures contract fell 6.9 cents day/day and settled at $2.101/MMBtu. July lost 6.3 cents to $2.297. “Lower natural gas prices…are beginning to temper activity and growth in…
May 4, 2023
Enterprise Sees Record Natural Gas Pipeline Volumes in First Quarter Despite Price Slump
Enterprise Product Partners LP reported soaring pipeline transportation and fee-based natural gas processing volumes in the first quarter. During an earnings call on Tuesday, executives said that across the company’s integrated system, crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) saw another quarter of production growth from the Permian Basin. “Lower natural gas prices,…
May 4, 2023
Mexico Private E&Ps Reporting Major Finds, but Slowdown Expected Without New Rounds
Mexico’s private oil and natural gas industry has made major strides adding reserves and production since the sector was opened to non-state firms in 2014. The most recent major announcement was German company Wintershall Dea’s Kan-1 discovery. Wood Mackenzie Latin America analyst Adrian Lara said the discovery “is one of the largest in Mexico’s shallow…
May 2, 2023