Mexico’s president weighs fracking to curb reliance on US natural gas
[April 09, 2026] By
MARÍA VERZA
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday
announced plans to tap into unconventional natural gas deposits in an
effort to lower her country's reliance on foreign energy at a time when
the Iran war is disrupting global energy markets.
But Sheinbaum — a scientist and climate expert — notably avoided the
term hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” a drilling method used to
extract oil and natural gas from deep underground bedrock using a highly
pressurized liquid. Instead, she framed the initiative as a quest for
“sustainable” extraction, emphasizing that environmental impacts would
be minimized to the greatest extent possible.
The technical feasibility of “sustainable fracking” is a subject of
significant debate among environmental scientists and energy experts.
But Sheinbaum said a technical committee will spend two months
evaluating less harmful methods, such as utilizing nonpotable water and
reducing chemical additives. The committee will also assess the
potential costs of these mitigations, she said.
“All the gas we import comes from a type of extraction that has
environmental impacts” and is “100 meters from the Mexican border,” she
noted, alluding to fracking projects in Texas.
Mexico is the world’s single largest buyer of U.S. gas.
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 While noting that natural gas import
contracts with the U.S. remain secure and the bilateral relationship
is strong, she argued that increasing energy sovereignty is a
responsible necessity. “Is more gas needed? Yes. Can all gas be
replaced? Hardly,” she added.
Since assuming power in October 2024, Sheinbaum has
pledged to expand renewable energy while maintaining firm support
for the state-owned Petróleos Mexicanos. On Wednesday, she defended
this stance by arguing that fossil fuels remain an essential
component of Mexico’s energy landscape.
Sheinbaum said the priority is to reduce external energy dependence
in turbulent times and avoid situations like the one experienced in
Europe with the shortage of Russian gas during the war in Ukraine or
the one caused by the current war in the Middle East.
Wednesday's proposal — which is certain to spark controversy — comes
amid a surge in infrastructure projects designed to increase U.S.
gas imports. These developments aim to satisfy Mexico’s rising
domestic electricity demand while positioning the country as a hub
for re-exporting gas to Asian and European markets.
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