Mexico’s state oil giant Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) appears poised to increase its natural gas output as it begins development at the Lakach deepwater field and works to curb the longtime scourge of flaring.

Pemex natural gas production

“We seek to progressively reduce the level of gas sent into the atmosphere,” executives said last week during a call to review second quarter earnings.

The company flared 428 MMcf/d in the 2Q2022, capturing 91% of all natural gas that was produced, the company said. This is compared to 390 MMcf/d gas flared and 92% usage in the 1Q2022. The second quarter figure, however, was a marked improvement on the 608 MMcf/d flaring level and 87% usage rate in the second quarter of 2021.

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