• Connect with us
    • Information
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Careers
      • Partnerships
      • Advertise With Us
      • Authors
      • Browse Topics
      • Events
      • Disclaimer
      • Privacy Policy
    • Australia
      North America
      World
    Login
    Investing News NetworkYour trusted source for investing success
    • North America
      Australia
      World
    • My INN
    Videos
    Companies
    Press Releases
    Private Placements
    SUBSCRIBE
    • Reports & Guides
      • Market Outlook Reports
      • Investing Guides
    • Button
    Resource
    • Precious Metals
    • Battery Metals
    • Base Metals
    • Energy
    • Critical Minerals
    Tech
    Life Science
    Energy Market
    Energy News
    Energy Stocks
    • Energy Market
    • Energy News
    • Energy Stocks
    oil and gas investing

    Mexico’s Oil Reform is Beginning to Bear Fruit

    Written by Investing News Network
    |
    Jun. 28, 2018 02:00PM PST
    Energy Investing

    Mexico has opened its oil industry up to private investment and expertise, and this move is starting to pay off.

    Mexico ranks third in the western hemisphere for oil production and holds the region’s fourth-largest oil reserves. For many years, however, it has undergone declining oil production, even though there is still plenty of petroleum in the ground.

    Mexico’s state-owned energy company PEMEX estimates that there are 29 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) in conventional and deepwater sources, plus 60 billion BOE in shale. The problem is that historically much of that oil has been inaccessible because of underinvestment.

    In 2013, faced with deteriorating oil production and reserves, newly elected president Enrique Peña instituted sweeping reforms and revised the constitution to open up the nation’s rich oilfields to the private sector, creating huge opportunities for investors.

    “The ability to tap into this resource may lure as much as $20 billion per year to Mexico in direct and indirect investments,” Deloitte analysts predicted in a 2014 report. As of May 2018, Mexico had attracted more than $150 billion in potential oil and gas sector investments since the reforms took effect in 2013.

    Now that we’re five years into the reforms that opened Mexico’s oil industry to international investors, is the government closer to realizing its main goals of harnessing outside expertise and capital to increase production?

    Auctions are the cornerstone of Mexico’s energy reform

    Mexico’s new oil and gas laws were drafted with global best practises in mind, using precedents like the US Department of the Interior’s work on bidding and Norway’s management of its oil funds. Ending PEMEX’s monopoly on the industry opens up the potential to attract upwards of $1 trillion in foreign direct investment into Mexico by 2040, as per the Mexican Association of Hydrocarbons Companies.

    Under the revised industry regulations, subsoil hydrocarbon resources remain the property of the state; however, private and foreign entities can now obtain government-awarded contracts to explore, develop and produce those hydrocarbons. The government auctions off exploration and well permits to the entity with the best bid and the right expertise for developing projects into successful commercial operations. Mexico’s Secretaria de Energia (Energy Secretariat, SENER) is overseeing a multi-round, five-year tender plan that will denationalize more than 900 oil and gas blocks, including onshore, offshore and shallow water.

    The first auction round was awarded entirely to PEMEX, Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company. However, all the subsequent rounds are open to foreign companies and for partnerships with PEMEX. The auctions to date have been viewed as fair and transparent by outside experts. Winners are awarded a 25-year lease, extendable to 35 years.

    To date, Mexico’s oil auctions have been mostly successful, resulting in the auctioning off of about 100 contracts to foreign and Mexican firms, including international oil firms such as ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) and Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE:RDS-A).

    New discoveries and production

    The auctions have already led to some successful discoveries as well as the restart of legacy wells.

    In July 2017, two consortia announced major finds in shallow-water blocks auctioned during round one of the energy reform. A partnership including Houston-based Talos Energy (NYSE:TALO), UK-based Premier Oil (LSE:PMO) and Sierra Oil & Gas (Mexico’s first independent oil company) announced a significant discovery near Zama-1, the first offshore exploration well drilled by the private sector in Mexico’s history. The find reportedly amounts to between 1.4 billion and 2 billion BOE — the fifth-largest discovery anywhere in the world in the past five years.

    Pablo Medina, an analyst at industry consultancy Wood Mackenzie, told Reuters that “[t]he Zama discovery by Talos is the most important achievement so far of the Mexico’s Energy Reform. According to our data, Zama is one of the 20 largest shallow-water fields discovered globally in the past 20 years.” He added, “Zama is the first find by a private company in Mexico in almost 80 years.”

    In December 2017, Italian oil company Eni (BIT:ENI) struck pay at its shallow-water Tecoalli 2 well in its Area 1 concession, bringing the block’s hydrocarbons-in-place estimate up from 1.4 to 2 billion BOE.

    Likewise, 2017 was a significant year for PEMEX, which made its biggest onshore oil discovery in 15 years. The state-owned company struck oil at its Ixachi well in the eastern state of Veracruz in November, estimated at 1.5 billion BOE.

    In 2018, through an industry-leading joint venture, Canada-based International Frontier Resources (TSXV:IFR,OTCQB:IFRTF) became the first foreign company to drill onshore conventional oil under license contract in Mexico in over 80 years.

    Through its 50/50 partnership with Grupo IDESA — one of Mexico’s largest petrochemical companies — International Frontier Resources joint venture Tonalli Energia was awarded the Tecolutla block in the Tampico-Misantla Basin during the first onshore bid round. Tonalli is now producing from its TEC-2 legacy well at the Tecolutla asset, and its recently drilled TEC-10 directional development well is next to test for production results.

    More opportunities on the horizon

    Mexico’s next round of bidding is slated for September 2018. It is expected to be the largest onshore round yet, with 37 onshore conventional blocks for exploration and production that collectively cover 9,513 square kilometers housing prospective resources of about 260 million BOE. What makes this round of contracts extra significant is the fact that Mexico is opening up its shale resources to private oil companies for the first time.

    Mexico’s oil and gas revolution is still emerging, making it too early to measure its eventual success; however, there are clear signals pointing to private company activity delivering vast new reserves and a strong production outlook to contribute to the country’s production goals.

    Furthermore, market demand for that increase in Mexico’s oil and gas production is huge.

    “By 2025, (the world will) require a new supply of 25 to 28 million additional barrels per day,” said Steve Pastor, BHP Billiton’s (LSE:BLT,NYSE:BHP,ASX:BHP) president of petroleum operations, told the Wall Street Journal. “The question is, where are we going to find that supply? And that’s where Mexico … [comes] into play.”

    This article was written according to INN editorial standards to educate investors.

    oil and gas investinginternational frontier resources
    The Conversation (0)

    Go Deeper

    AI Powered
    Blue oil barrels and pumpjacks over a digital world map with financial graph lines in the background.

    Oil and Gas Price Trends: Q3 2026 Review and Forecast

    Oil barrels on black background with golden world map.

    10 Top Oil-producing Countries

    Latest News

    Outlook Reports world

    Resource
    • Precious Metals
      • Gold
      • Silver
    • Battery Metals
      • Lithium
      • Cobalt
      • Graphite
    • Energy
      • Uranium
      • Oil and Gas
    • Base Metals
      • Copper
      • Nickel
      • Zinc
    • Critical Metals
      • Rare Earths
    • Industrial Metals
    • Agriculture
    Tech
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Cybersecurity
      • Gaming
      • Cleantech
      • Emerging Tech
    Life Science
      • Biotech
      • Cannabis
      • Psychedelics
      • Pharmaceuticals

    Featured Energy Investing Stocks

    Coelacanth Energy

    Coelacanth Energy (CEI:CC)
    CEI:CC

    Investor Insight

    Coelacanth Energy is a pure-play Montney oil and natural gas company advancing one of the largest contiguous land positions in the Montney light oil window of northeastern British Columbia. Supported by a substantial discovered and undiscovered hydrocarbon resource base, growing production, established infrastructure and a management team that has built and sold six successful energy companies, Coelacanth is executing a strategy focused on increasing both near-term cash flow and long-term resource value.

    Coelacanth currently producing approximately 8,000 boe/d in Canada

    Overview

    Coelacanth Energy (TSXV:CEI) is a Canadian oil and natural gas exploration and development company focused on the Montney Formation in northeastern British Columbia. The company controls over 150 contiguous sections in the Two Rivers region, a strategically positioned acreage block within the Montney light oil window. As one of the largest landholders in this highly prospective area, Coelacanth has assembled a large-scale resource platform with significant development potential.

    Map of NEBC with two graphs and text detailing Coelacanth Energy's oil production projections and infrastructure.

    The company’s asset base is supported by substantial petroleum initially-in-place estimates prepared by GLJ. These include 6.9 billion barrels of discovered oil PIIP and 8.3 billion barrels of undiscovered oil PIIP, alongside 5.9 Tcf of discovered gas PIIP and 7.1 Tcf of undiscovered gas PIIP. The resource spans multiple Montney intervals, including the Upper, Lower, Basal and Middle Montney, providing extensive opportunities for future development and delineation.

    Coelacanth’s strategy combines near-term production growth with long-term resource value creation. The company has secured critical infrastructure, contracted gas takeaway and processing capacity, and advanced development activities across its Two Rivers assets. Average production reached 7,632 boe/d in Q2 2026, reflecting continued progress in transitioning from delineation and infrastructure buildout toward scalable production growth.

    Colorful regional map of British Columbia with Coelacanth Energy's projects

    A key differentiator for Coelacanth is its leadership team. Management has successfully built and sold six previous public energy companies and has demonstrated an ability to create value through multiple commodity cycles. Supported by deep operational, geological and financial expertise, the team is focused on disciplined execution of the company’s Montney growth strategy.

    Company Highlights

    • Premier Montney land position: Controls over 150 contiguous sections in the Two Rivers region of northeastern British Columbia, making Coelacanth the largest landholder in the Montney light oil window.
    • Substantial hydrocarbons in place: GLJ estimates 6.9 billion barrels of discovered oil PIIP, 8.3 billion barrels of undiscovered oil PIIP, 5.9 Tcf of discovered gas PIIP, and 7.1 Tcf of undiscovered gas PIIP across the company’s Montney acreage.
    • Infrastructure-led growth strategy: Key infrastructure, including facilities, pipelines, processing agreements and gas takeaway capacity, has been secured to support scalable production growth.
    • Growing production base: Average production reached 7,632 boe/d in Q2 2026, supported by ongoing development at the Two Rivers project.
    • Multiple productive Montney horizons: The asset base includes the Upper, Lower, Basal and Middle Montney intervals, providing extensive development opportunities across multiple zones.
    • Strong market access: Secured 100 mmcf/d of gas takeaway capacity and up to 60 mmcf/d of processing capacity, with access to major pipeline networks and potential LNG Canada connectivity through Coastal GasLink.
    • Proven value-creation team: Management has built and sold six successful energy companies and brings extensive operational, technical and financial expertise to Coelacanth’s development strategy.

    Key Project

    Two Rivers Montney Development

    Aerial view of North America's landscape highlighting Coelacanth Energy's Two Rivers Montney development

    The Two Rivers project forms the cornerstone of Coelacanth’s growth strategy and encompasses the company’s extensive Montney land position in northeastern British Columbia. The project hosts multiple productive horizons, including the Upper, Lower, Basal and Middle Montney intervals, supporting a multi-zone development approach across the acreage. Geological delineation has been completed, providing a strong technical foundation for future drilling and development.

    The project has demonstrated commercial productivity through successful drilling and testing programs. Coelacanth established proof of commerciality at both Two Rivers East and Two Rivers West, while development at the 5-19 and 10-08 pads confirmed productivity across multiple Montney benches. All 12 wells on the 5-19 pad were onstream by April 1, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the project’s progression.

    Map with labeled facilities showing Coelacanth Energy Two Rivers asset advantage

    Infrastructure development has been a major focus of the company’s execution strategy. Coelacanth has secured infrastructure financing, completed key facility and pipeline construction, contracted up to 100 mmcf/d of gas takeaway capacity and secured processing capacity of up to 60 mmcf/d. These initiatives establish the infrastructure foundation required to support future production growth.

    The Two Rivers asset also benefits from strong market access. The company’s production can access major regional pipeline systems, including NGTL, Westcoast and Alliance, while its acreage is directly connected to LNG Canada through the Coastal GasLink system for potential future delivery. Coelacanth Energy said the long-term view for LNG expansion in British Columbia is very positive for its land, believing that lands with scale and direct access as such will trade at a premium once they are delineated and the resource is proven for development.

    Combined with a commodity mix of approximately 31 percent oil and liquids and 72 percent natural gas, the project offers exposure to multiple energy markets.

    Management Team

    Rob Zakresky – President, CEO and Director

    Rob Zakresky is a veteran energy executive who previously served as president and CEO of Leucrotta Exploration, Crocotta Energy, Chamaelo Exploration, Chamaelo Energy, Viracocha Energy and Bellator Exploration. He has a proven track record of building and monetizing public energy companies and leads Coelacanth’s strategic growth and value creation initiatives.

    Nolan Chicoine – Vice President of Finance and CFO

    Nolan Chicoine previously served as CFO and vice-president finance at Leucrotta Exploration, Crocotta Energy and Chamaelo Exploration, and was controller at Chamaelo Energy and Viracocha Energy. He is responsible for financial strategy, reporting and capital management.

    Jody Denis – Vice President of Operations

    Jody Denis is a former drilling, engineering and operations engineer at Leucrotta Exploration. His previous experience also includes senior operational and drilling leadership roles with Black Swan Energy, ARC Resources and Birchcliff Energy. He formerly led Coelacanth Energy’s drilling and completions activities.

    John Fur – Vice President of Geosciences

    John Fur previously served as manager of exploration at Leucrotta Exploration and held senior geophysical positions with Crocotta Energy, Chamaelo Energy, Viracocha Energy, Canadian Natural Resources, Post Energy, Amber Energy and Husky Oil. He oversees geological evaluation and resource delineation across the company’s Montney assets.

    Jonathon Hanson — Vice President of Engineering

    Jonathon Hanson has 20 years of industry experience. He previously served as manager for exploitation at Spartan Dela Corp, and was a senior exploitation engineer for companies Vermilion Energy, Lynx Energy and Saguaro Resources. He will focus on exploitation and reservoir management for Coelacanth Energy.

    Kinetiko Energy

    Kinetiko Energy (KKO:AU)
    KKO:AU

    Syntholene Energy

    Syntholene Energy (ESAF:CC)
    ESAF:CC

    Investor Insight

    Syntholene Energy is advancing a proprietary synthetic fuel production platform designed to produce high-performance, low-cost synthetic hydrocarbons using renewable electricity, geothermal heat and captured carbon. Following successful prototype-scale validation in 2022, the company is now operating its Iceland demonstration facility as it plans commercial-scale production capable of serving aviation, transportation, industrial energy and other hard-to-abate fuel markets.

    Overview

    Syntholene Energy ((TSXV:ESAF,FSE:3DD0, OTC:SYNTF) is a synthetic fuel production company company focused on developing high-performance, low-cost synthetic liquid fuels. The company is commercializing its proprietary Hybrid Thermal Production System, which combines renewable electricity, geothermal heat, water and captured carbon to produce synthetic hydrocarbons that can serve as direct replacements for conventional petroleum-derived fuels.

    Syntholene's \u200bH\u00fasav\u00edk Power Station

    Unlike many alternative energy solutions that require extensive changes to existing infrastructure, synthetic fuels can be transported, stored and utilized through today’s fuel supply chains. The resulting fuels are molecularly pure, free from many contaminants associated with conventional fuels and compatible with existing engines, turbines, storage systems and transportation infrastructure. Produced using renewable electricity, hydrogen and captured carbon, the fuels can deliver over 90 percent lower lifecycle emissions while maintaining the energy density and performance characteristics required across multiple industries.

    At the core of the company’s platform is its Hybrid Thermal Production System, which combines high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis with industrially proven fuel synthesis reactors. By incorporating low-cost thermal energy into critical production stages, Syntholene seeks to reduce electricity consumption, the largest cost component for most eFuel producers. This approach underpins the company’s targeted 70 percent cost advantage relative to competing technologies and supports its objective of producing cost-competitive synthetic fuels at commercial scale.

    Syntholene Hybrid Thermal Production System

    The technology builds upon advancements in high-temperature electrolysis, including work undertaken at Idaho National Laboratory. Following successful prototype-scale validation in 2022, Syntholene is progressing toward field-scale demonstration in Iceland. The company believes a successful demonstration will support future commercial deployment across a range of synthetic fuel applications.

    Market demand for low-emission liquid fuels continues to expand across multiple sectors. Sustainable aviation fuel represents Syntholene’s initial commercial focus, supported by increasing airline decarbonization commitments, regulatory mandates, and fuel-blending requirements. Beyond aviation, the broader global eFuel market is projected to grow from US$8.89 billion in 2024 to more than US$215 billion by 2032, creating opportunities across transportation, shipping, industrial energy, and other sectors that depend on liquid hydrocarbon fuels.

    Syntholene’s leadership team combines expertise across climate technology, synthetic fuels, industrial engineering, energy infrastructure, project development and resource industries. Recent additions to the advisory board, including former Shell and Suncor executive Marc Mageau and energy industry veteran HY Lee, further strengthen the company’s capabilities as it advances toward commercialization.

    Company Highlights

    • Addressing a multi-layered growth opportunity: The company is initially targeting sustainable aviation fuel while developing a technology platform capable of serving a substantially larger global liquid fuels market spanning transportation, industrial energy and other hard-to-electrify sectors.
    • Proprietary hybrid thermal production system: Syntholene’s technology integrates high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis with industrially proven fuel synthesis reactors, utilizing both electricity and thermal energy to improve efficiency and reduce production costs.
    • Targeting a 70 percent cost advantage: By introducing low-cost thermal energy into critical stages of production, the company aims to produce synthetic fuels at 70 percent lower cost than competing eFuel technologies.
    • Pathway to cost-competitive synthetic fuels: The company believes its technology provides a credible pathway toward producing synthetic fuels that can compete economically with conventional petroleum-derived fuels at scale.
    • High-performance fuel characteristics: Synthetic fuels are molecularly pure and free from many contaminants associated with conventional fuels, including sulfur, nitrogen and heavy metals, while remaining compatible with existing infrastructure.
    • Over 90 percent lower lifecycle emissions: Synthetic fuels produced from renewable electricity, hydrogen and captured carbon can deliver over 90 percent lower lifecycle emissions than conventional alternatives.
    • Prototype validation completed: The company’s production process was successfully demonstrated at prototype scale in 2022 and is now operating a world-first geothermally-integrated demonstration facility in Husavik, Iceland.
    • Demonstration facility advancing ahead of schedule: The Húsavík, Iceland facility is now operating, with efficiency and technoeconomic results expected in Q4 2026.
    • Strategic geothermal platform: The Iceland project benefits from low-cost geothermal electricity, thermal energy, industrial infrastructure, deep-water port access and an existing 200 MW+ regional grid expansion permitting framework.
    • Scalable commercial development strategy: Following demonstration, the company intends to advance a 20,000-tonne-per-year commercial facility design and subsequently scale production through facilities ranging from tens to hundreds of megawatts.

    Flagship Project

    Húsavík Demonstration Facility, Iceland

    Syntholene \u200bH\u00fasav\u00edk Demonstration Facility, Iceland

    Syntholene’s flagship project is its geothermal-integrated demonstration facility located in Húsavík, northern Iceland. The facility is designed to validate the integration of geothermal heat, high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis and synthetic fuel production technologies under real-world operating conditions. Construction has advanced six months ahead of schedule, with first operations initiated on June 22nd 20266 and efficiency and technoeconomic results expected in Q4 2026.

    The project leverages northern Iceland’s abundant geothermal resources, providing access to both low-cost electricity and high-temperature steam. Unlike intermittent renewable energy sources, geothermal energy offers reliable baseload power and thermal energy that can be utilized continuously throughout the fuel production process. The location also benefits from established industrial infrastructure, a skilled workforce, proximity to a deep-water port and a favorable regulatory environment.

    Syntholene Demo Footprint

    A key objective of the demonstration facility is to validate the company’s thermal integration strategy and confirm that efficiencies achieved during laboratory and prototype testing can be replicated under commercial operating conditions. The facility incorporates Syntholene’s proprietary Thermal Coupling technology, which converts geothermal steam into high-purity industrial steam suitable for use throughout the fuel production process. Management believes this technology is central to achieving the targeted 70 percent cost advantage relative to competing synthetic fuel pathways.

    The project also benefits from significant expansion potential. Iceland has completed environmental permitting associated with a 200 MW regional grid expansion, supporting future industrial development in the region. Following a successful demonstration, Syntholene intends to advance a 20,000-tonne-per-year commercial facility design and subsequently scale production through facilities ranging from tens to hundreds of megawatts. Management believes the Húsavík location alone has the potential to support development capable of generating approximately US$500 million in annual revenue.

    Management Team

    Dan Sutton – Chief Executive Officer

    Dan Sutton has spent the last 15 years founding and leading sustainable infrastructure businesses. As founder and CEO of Tantalus Labs, he designed, built and operated SUNLAB, scaled the company to 150 employees and grew annual revenue to approximately US$20 million. His expertise spans infrastructure deployment, project development, government relations, public markets and executive leadership.

    Steve Oldham – Director

    Steve Oldham is a globally recognized leader in carbon management and climate technology commercialization. As former CEO of Carbon Engineering, he helped establish direct air capture as a commercial industry and led the company through its acquisition by Occidental Petroleum at a US$1.6 billion valuation. He currently serves as CEO of Captura.

    Canon Bryan – Director

    Canon Bryan is a founder and company builder with more than 25 years of experience across advanced energy and resource development. He co-founded Terrestrial Energy, Uranium Energy and NioCorp and brings expertise in finance, corporate development, economic modelling and strategic planning.

    John Kutsch – Chief Engineer

    John Kutsch leads the integration and optimization of Syntholene’s fuel production platform. He brings more than 30 years of experience across industrial systems design, chemical processing, advanced energy technologies and reactor development, including work supporting high-temperature synthetic fuel systems.

    Jack Williams – Head Engineer

    Jack Williams specializes in high-temperature and high-pressure reactor systems and synthetic fuel technologies. His research at the University of Cambridge focused on electrolysis systems, catalytic reactor design, CO₂ capture and synthetic fuel production processes.

    Grant Tanaka – Chief Financial Officer

    Grant Tanaka has more than 15 years of senior financial leadership experience across the global natural resources sector. His background includes senior finance roles at Teck Resources, New Gold and Copper Mountain Mining, combining financial discipline with operational performance management. He was also appointed Corporate Secretary in May 2026.

    Anna Pagliaro – Director

    Anna Pagliaro is a senior commercial and risk management executive with extensive experience across the energy and mining sectors. Her career includes leadership positions at Vizsla Silver, Ausenco, NexGen Energy and Integra Gold, where she focused on governance, commercial strategy, negotiations and risk management.

    Marc Mageau – Advisory Board Member

    Marc Mageau joined the Advisory Board in June 2026. He brings more than three decades of operational leadership experience from Shell and Suncor, including expertise in refining, oil sands operations, logistics, infrastructure development and industrial asset management.

    HY Lee – Advisory Board Member

    HY Lee joined the Advisory Board in May 2026, adding further industrial, operational and strategic expertise as Syntholene advances toward commercial deployment of its synthetic fuel platform.

    Quebec Innovative Materials

    QIMC:CC

    Alvopetro Energy

    Alvopetro Energy (ALV:CC)
    ALV:CC

    Valeura Energy

    Valeura Energy (VLE:CC)
    VLE:CC
    More featured stocks

    Browse Companies

    Resource
    • Precious Metals
    • Battery Metals
    • Energy
    • Base Metals
    • Critical Metals
    Tech
    Life Science
    MARKETS
    COMMODITIES
    CURRENCIES