Mexico’s pipeline imports of U.S. natural gas should continue rising over the coming years even in the most conservative demand scenarios, experts agreed at the US-Mexico Natural Gas Forum.

The power sector is driving demand growth currently, a trend that is likely to continue in the immediate term as state power company Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) expands its fleet of combined-cycle gas turbine plants, energy consultant Guillermo Turrent told the gathering held Nov. 13-15 in San Antonio, TX.

Turrent, who is the general manager of Energy and Infrastructure Advisors, highlighted that CFE imports 100% of its gas supply, and company gas imports peaked around 5 Bcf/d last summer. 

CFE is building 10 combined-cycle plants that could add about 1 Bcf/d of gas demand by...