2021 US Mexico Agenda

Diving into what happened in the Texas February storm and how it impacted Mexico, along with the current trend of high Gulf Coast and global prices to answer: What is Mexico doing to prepare for this winter and potential volatility? Where are prices heading? Looking at NGI's fifth Natural Gas Market Survey in Mexico, we will see what active players are saying about the way the market is evolving, underpinning the importance of an independent price index in Mexico.

This panel will discuss opportunities and challenges facing U.S. to Mexico natural gas export markets. With Mexican President Lopez Obrador’s proposed changes for Energy Reform, market participants are scrambling to navigate implications for this market.

Following June’s midterm elections, Mexico’s political landscape continues to shift. Further revisions of the energy reform have been proposed by the current administration, however the chances of success remain unclear. The panel will discuss scenarios for the energy reform and the implications for the natural gas sector over the coming three years of this administration.

Even before the impacts of COVID, new dynamics both from within and outside of the US energy markets were starting to emerge that threatened to change the narrative of growth and oversupply. During this talk we will look at some of the key influences that have emerged over the last year that will write the next chapter in US natural gas markets.

•Legislative Mandates under SB-3 Regarding Weatherization and Critical Infrastructure.
•Efforts by the RRC to ensure Texas is prepared for this winter.
•Underlying inequities in the Texas Electrical grid as it relates to Natural Gas Fired Power Plants.
•Seismic Activity in the Permian.
•Efforts to Reduce Stranded (Flared) Gas in Texas.
•Guidance and Rulemaking at the Commission.

In 2013 and 2014, Mexico implemented an energy reform meant to open one of Mexico’s most important sectors still protected from market forces—and formally reserved under the North American Free Trade Agreement. This was meant to be the last building block to project Mexico forward, concluding the liberalization of the country’s economy. There was in fact much optimism in the industry and many companies readied to invest in Mexico. But this all changed in 2018, with the advent of the López Obrador administration. In effect, even before he took office, Mr. López Obrador began to make substantial changes, first rhetorically and then through specific administrative and legislative measures, to the overall business environment in Mexico. Many of these are now reaching the energy markets. Many companies, some already holding contracts to operate in Mexico, were left with great uncertainty on their investments and their future in the country. Others simply put their investments on hold. This conversation examines where is Mexico today, what the political landscape tells us about whether Mexico will step back from its previous path or move forward, or whether we can expect a return to the previous path of a modern Mexico, open to foreign investment.

This presentation will explore AMLO’s proposed changes to Mexico energy reform. Specific implications for Mexico natural gas will be examined, including changes to existing regulations, which players benefit, existing projects are impacted, etc. Also included wil be an assessment of likelihood of implementation, and impact on investors.

With growing resistance in the U.S. from policy, regulatory and NGO’s as well as AMLO’s proposed energy market restructuring in Mexico, exporting gas from the U.S. to Mexico by traditional pipeline development is challenging to say the least. This panel describes case studies for real-world alternatives to deliver gas from the U.S. to markets in Mexico. Discussion will include LNG exports, virtual pipeline project, small-scale LNG, CNG, etc.

Please join our hosts, the Corporate Sponsors, at a cocktail reception in your honor. Don’t make your dinner plans too early as hors d’oeuvres and an open bar will be the highlight of this extremely well attended session!

This panel discussion will incorporate many ideas from accomplished women to talk candidly and openly about aspects around their success in business and how they have achieved success and continue to strive to be successful in an ever changing world! Discussions will include but are not limited to:

-Leveraging Women's unique characteristics for success.
-Why diversity matters - how different perspectives strengthen a team's problem solving.
-Choosing the right team - how to spot and/or foster a work culture that will empower impactful careers.
-Building an effective network - how to find your tribe and contribute to your business community (aka find a mentor, be a mentor).
-Understanding the value you bring - how to negotiate pay and position (aka don't marry any job - because a job will never love you back).
-Put a lid on it, or blow the lid off of it? - how to manage a sexist work environment.
-Communicating your value to the team and senior management - how to be your own cheerleader.
-And much much more…

Exports of natural gas are expected to be the largest demand growth sector in the U.S. natural gas market. U.S. exports of LNG have increased more than 12-fold since 2016, and are expected to continue to grow in our Short-Term Energy Outlook. Natural gas pipeline exports are also expected to grow, but by a smaller amount. This presentation will focus on EIA's outlook for U.S. natural gas trade in the November 2021 STEO, which is to be released November 9.