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
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
State Looks to Become Predominant Actor in Mexico’s Natural Gas Infrastructure
According to company plans and Mexican government announcements, the vast majority of 2021 natural gas projects will be spearheaded by the state, or at least the state will play some role in their development. Meanwhile, most of the major natural gas pipelines launched thanks to Mexico’s 2013-2014 energy reform are complete, but a few delayed…
December 24, 2020
Producer Bankruptcies in North America Show Slowing Trend in November
Bankruptcies filed by producers in the North American oil and gas space slowed to two in November, according to the latest monthly Oil Patch Bankruptcy Monitor report published by Haynes and Boone LLP. The trend shows a gradual reduction in bankruptcies this autumn compared to earlier in the year; there were three producer bankruptcies in…
December 23, 2020
Private Sector Upstream Industry in Mexico Said Committed to Developing Nation’s Oil and Gas
Private firms operating in the Mexican upstream oil and gas sector have maintained their commitment to the country despite the impacts of coronavirus and have even upped exploratory activity this year. This is according to a panel of experts who spoke during a virtual event last week organized by the #WeTweetEnergy group, an online community…
December 22, 2020