Following her announcement last week, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum presented a team of specialists on April 15 to evaluate environmentally friendly fracking technologies, aiming to reduce Mexico's 75% reliance on U.S. natural gas imports amid energy sovereignty goals.
Building on her April 9 pledge to explore modern fracking techniques that recycle water and minimize environmental harm, President Claudia Sheinbaum detailed her stance shift during her April 15 morning conference. "When I see the new technologies and the country's dependence situation, the worst I can say is no, without considering the new technologies," she stated.
Sheinbaum unveiled her 'dream team' of experts from UNAM, IPN, UAM, UANL, Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, and Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua. Highlights include UNAM rector Leonardo Lomelí, who urged balancing environmental costs with energy sovereignty; Rosaura Ruíz, head of the Secretariat of Sciences, Humanities, Technology and Innovation; Pemex CEO Víctor Rodríguez; and Energy Secretary Luz Elena González.
The panel will deliver initial recommendations in two months on feasible, eco-friendly natural gas extraction sites and methods. Sheinbaum highlighted Coahuila's geology and low population density as promising, but stressed mandatory social consultations and no commitments yet.
Fracking remains one element of a broader strategy, including the National Energy Plan's push for 40% renewables, energy storage, and green hydrogen to enhance sovereignty.
