Mexico Must Modify Oil, Natural Gas Methane Regulations to Curb Emissions, Consultancy Says

Mexico will struggle to meet its targeted reduction in methane emissions from oil and gas operations if existing regulations are not improved, according to new analysis by Talanza Energy Consulting.

Mexico’s oil and gas environmental regulator Agencia de Seguridad, Energía y Ambiente (ASEA), in November 2018 issued a set of guidelines designed to curb emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, from the oil and gas sector.

The regulations were hailed by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) as putting Mexico “on a clear pathway to meet a trilateral commitment between the U.S., Canada and Mexico to reduce emissions by 45% by 2025.”

However, “the particularities of the Mexican regulation imply a high risk in implementation and fulfillment for the government and...