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
Outgoing Trump Officials Warn of ‘Significant Uncertainty’ in Mexico Energy Sector
Members of the outgoing administration of President Trump have sent a letter to Mexican counterparts, including Energy Minister Rocío Nahle, admonishing regulatory changes they said are damaging Mexico’s investment climate. The letter, signed last week by U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross indicated that recent government…
January 19, 2021
Energy Sector Concerns Mount on Move to Eliminate Mexico Regulators, Competition Watchdog
The Mexican business environment for energy sector players could be hampered by plans to fold autonomous regulators and the competition watchdog into existing ministries. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said last week he was considering the move in a bid to save money to prioritize social spending as the economy reels from the impact…
January 12, 2021
Braskem Idesa Partially Restores Operations at Mexico Petrochemical Complex
Braskem Idesa said Thursday it had partially restored operations at the Etileno XXI polyethylene complex in Mexico’s Veracruz state. In December, Mexico natural gas system operator Cenagas canceled the company’s access to pipeline natural gas supply, forcing Braskem Idesa to shut down Etileno XXI, the largest petrochemicals operation in Latin America. The Etileno plant uses…
January 7, 2021
Alberta-Focused Obsidian Targeting More Wells for Oily Cardium Prospect
Calgary-based Obsidian Energy Ltd. said Tuesday it is setting aside C$35 million ($27 million) in capital expenditures (capex) for a drilling program and C$5 million ($4 million) in decommissioning expenditures for the first half of 2021. The exploration and production company plans to drill up to eight wells at the Cardium development in Willesden Green…
January 6, 2021
In 2021, Midterm Elections Could be Pivotal in Determining Future of Mexico’s Energy Sector
The June midterm elections in Mexico, set to be the country’s largest single-day election in its history, could either stall or advance President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s state-centric energy sector platform. The election would see the entire lower house being voted in, as well as numerous gubernatorial, state legislature and mayoral races. Wins for his…
December 30, 2020
New Permitting Rules Could Prove Problematic for Mexico LNG Exports
New regulation over the permitting process involved in the importing and exporting of fuels in Mexico published in the country’s Official Gazette on Dec. 26 could prove harmful to competition in the Mexican energy sector. Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (Cofece), the federal economic competition commission, published a statement last week warning the rules…
December 30, 2020
Argentina Natural Gas Production Down 13% in October
Natural gas production in Argentina fell by 12.9% year/year in October to 121.9 million cubic meters/day (MMm3/d), or 4.3 Bcf/d, according to the latest report by the IAE Argentine Energy Institute. Production was down from 4.37 Bcf/d in September. Analysts attributed the drop to restrictions in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. Argentina has had…
December 30, 2020
Offshore Driller Pacific Sees Emergence From Bankruptcy as Imminent
Offshore driller Pacific Drilling Co. expects to emerge from bankruptcy by the end of the year after the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas confirmed the company’s proposed reorganization plan. “The Court’s confirmation of our plan represents an important milestone in our progress towards emergence by year-end with a fully de-levered balance…
December 29, 2020
New Fuel Permit Rules in Mexico Said Damaging to Energy Sector Competition
New regulation over the permitting process involved in the importing and exporting of fuels in Mexico published in the country’s Official Gazette on Dec. 26 could prove harmful to competition in the Mexican energy sector. Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (Cofece), the federal economic competition commission, published a statement last week warning the rules…
December 28, 2020
Workforce in Texas Upstream Energy Sector Contracts in November After Two Months of Growth
The number of total jobs in Texas’ upstream sector dipped in November after showing positive gains in October and November, driven principally by layoffs in the services sector. The Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) reported new government data showing that the sector experienced a decline of 2,300 jobs in November compared to…
December 24, 2020