UK oil & gas firms exploring Mexico’s newly-opened industry

A delegation from the British Chamber of Commerce in Mexico is in Aberdeen this week, looking at opportunities to build closer business links between the Scottish and Mexican oil and gas sectors.

The Mexican oil and gas industry in Mexico had been closed for foreign companies for years, however, since reforms in 2013, deep structural changes have taken place, providing opportunities for international companies across the entire oil and gas supply chain.

The visit to Aberdeen follows a trade mission by oil and gas companies to Mexico in September, which included attendance at Energy Day 2016 in Mexico City, a visit to Ciudad Del Carmen as well as a tour of Petrofac’s facility in Villahermosa.

The British Chamber of Commerce in Mexico is a non-profit organization that promotes trade and investment between Mexico and the UK.

Prior to the visit to Aberdeen the Chamber’s membership director Liam Smyth said: “The reform of the Mexican energy sector was very evident in the number of UK companies that are now entering the Mexican market, finding partners and quoting for projects.”

“There are now over 40 operators working in Mexico and the supply chain is expanding,” Smyth said.

Teresa de Lay, director general of the British Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, is in Aberdeen on Monday, looking to meet with North-east businesses, and will be hosting a round-table discussion at the Chamber offices in the Bridge of Don.

She believes that UK capability and expertise can fill existing gaps within the newly-opened industry.

The conversation on Monday covers the reforms, and the challenges and opportunities for doing business in Mexico.

Following the trade mission earlier this year, which was run in association with UK Trade & Investment, Scottish Development International, the Energy Industries Council and Subsea UK, the Chamber is looking to run another mission to Mexico in June 2018.