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
Power Outages Hit Mexico as U.S. Natural Gas Prices Reach Historic Highs
Unprecedented cold weather across the United States continued to disrupt energy markets on both sides of the border Tuesday as power outages hit Mexico for a second straight day. Mexico’s electric power operator Centro Nacional de Control de Energía (Cenace) said 2,200 MW of power was still offline in the northern states of Chihuahua, Coahuila,…
February 16, 2021
China Expanding, Diversifying Footprint in Latin American Energy
While China has been embroiled in a trade dispute with the United States, its presence in the energy sector in Latin America has continued to grow, impacting the shape and direction of the region’s energy markets. According to the report, “China Stakes its Claim in Latin American Energy,” released by think tank Institute of the…
February 11, 2021
Friction Over Energy, Environment Seen on Horizon in Mexico-U.S. Bilateral Trade Relationship
The new bilateral relationship between Mexico and the United States under President Biden could lead to discord between the two states in energy and trade matters. “There are many diplomatic challenges and opportunities under the Biden administration in Mexico,” Signos Vitales consultant Enrique Cárdenas said during a virtual webinar organized by the Wilson Institute’s Mexico…
February 9, 2021
Argentina’s Vaca Muerta Oil Production on Course for Record Year
Oil production from the vaunted Vaca Muerta shale deposit in the Neuquén basin in Western Argentina has come roaring back after months of slower exploration and production activity. Vaca Muerta reached a record high of 124,000 b/d in December, and it can continue toward 145,000–150,000 by the end of 2021 if current activity levels continue,…
February 4, 2021
Vaca Muerta Oil Production Hitting Record Levels, but Natural Gas Still Lagging
Oil production from the vaunted Vaca Muerta shale deposit in the Neuquén basin in Western Argentina has come roaring back after months of slower exploration and production activity. Vaca Muerta reached a record high of 124,000 b/d in December, and it can continue toward 145,000–150,000 by the end of 2021 if current activity levels continue,…
February 3, 2021
Natural Gas Dominates Capacity Additions in Mexico’s Energy Ministry Power Plans
New natural gas builds are central in the electricity plans of Mexico’s government as it seeks to enhance the role of state utility Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) in power production and dispatch. According to the country’s recently released 2020-2034 Prodesen power sector development plan, “the development of electric power capacity between 2020 and 2034…
February 2, 2021
Asian, European Natural Gas Benchmarks See Record Exchange Activity in January
Global exchange operator Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE) saw record activity across its Title Transfer Facility (TTF) and Japan Korea Marker (JKM) natural gas benchmarks in January. Citing “volatile market conditions set against the ongoing liberalization” of liquefied natural gas (LNG), ICE reported record monthly futures and options volumes for TTF and JKM contracts. “Customers from…
February 2, 2021
Mexico’s Natural Gas Underutilization Seen as Challenge, Opportunity
Natural gas in Mexico continues to be underutilized, according to industry participants who spoke last week at Industry Exchange LLC’s 6th Mexico Infrastructure Projects Forum. CEO José García Sanleandro of Gas Natural México (Naturgy Mexico), the local subsidiary of Spain’s Naturgy Energy Group, said the level of residential users has hardly budged over the last…
January 29, 2021
Still Room for Significant Natural Gas Growth in Mexico, Say Industry Experts
Natural gas in Mexico continues to be underutilized, according to industry participants who spoke last week at Industry Exchange LLC’s 6th Mexico Infrastructure Projects Forum. CEO José García Sanleandro of Gas Natural México (Naturgy Mexico), the local subsidiary of Spain’s Naturgy Energy Group, said the level of residential users has hardly budged over the last…
January 26, 2021
Rising Natural Gas Demand in Center-West, Wahalajara Opening Door to More Mexico Pricing Options
Fermaca’s crossborder Wahalajara pipeline system connecting the prolific Permian Basin to the city of Guadalajara and connections is driving energy demand in Mexico’s central-western region and turning the Waha hub in West Texas into a pricing point in Mexican natural gas transactions. That’s according to Santa Fe Gas LLC’s Santiago Garcia, who is CEO of…
January 21, 2021