March 27, 2018
The shallow water, 3rd round offer of exploration areas in Mexico ended with 16 new blocks awarded, out of 35 offered. Most of the winners are international groups that have re-invested in the country. The competition takes place two days before the 15th round of the ANP, which will offer 70 exploratory blocks inshore and offshore in Brazil. More than a dozen offshore pre-salt areas are the attraction of Brazilian competition.
Pemex contracted seven areas, one with 100% of the contract and the rest in different consortia with international companies – Cepsa (Spanish), Deutsche (German), Shell (Anglo-Dutch) and Total (French).
The Ronda 3 offer also attracted interest from Eni (Italian), BP (British), Lukoil (Russian), Repsol (Spanish), Sapura (Singapore) and other smaller and independent companies.
With the result of this last stage of Round 3, exploration areas in Mexico, have a projected demand of 138 new exploration wells – nine in the 16 areas tendered today.
According to a balance sheet of CNH, the agency that regulates the sector, Rounds 1, 2 and 3 generated investment requirements in 138 exploration wells to date.
The most popular blocks are in Cuencas del Sureste, where there are oil prospects, with lower exploratory risk, and eight blocks were contracted. The basins of Burgos and Tampico-Misantla-Veracruz have natural gas opportunities.
New offers in Mexico are scheduled for July and September.
Brazil Energy Insight 
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