A clearer picture was emerging on Wednesday of a massive natural gas shortage facing Mexico amid the extreme cold gripping Texas, Mexico’s main source for the fuel.

Sistrangas balance

The supply shortfall was punctuated by a late-breaking announcement Wednesday from Texas Gov. Greg Abott that he was prohibiting the sale of natural gas produced in Texas outside of the state, and ordering producers to instead supply gas to local power generators in order to curb the extended power outages plaguing the state amid a severe cold snap.

The order will remain in effect through Feb. 21, Abbott said during an afternoon news conference.

Abbott said that about 19,800 MW of gas-fired generation remained offline in Texas because of either mechanical issues or insufficient gas supply, necessitating the...