Pemex projects a reduction in fuel imports by 2025 despite challenges ahead.

The state-owned company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) has announced that it is projecting a significant reduction in fuel imports by the year 2025. According to statements from the company's director, Octavio Romero Oropeza, it is expected that gasoline and other petroleum derivatives imports will decrease to 20,000 barrels per day once the next administration led by the Morena party member Claudia Sheinbaum takes office. However, achieving this goal of fuel self-sufficiency has been an elusive objective for the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador so far. Pemex's plan includes the full operation of the Olmeca refinery in Tabasco, which has experienced significant delays in recent years, as well as the commissioning of the cokers in Tula and Salina Cruz. However, it has been announced that the construction of the latter will not be completed during the current presidential term, posing additional challenges to achieving the projected self-sufficiency. Cokers play a fundamental role in the crude oil refining process, allowing for higher yields in fuel production. Despite efforts to increase refining capacity in Mexico, the state-owned company still faces difficulties in meeting domestic demand autonomously. Pemex's strategy includes the production of the Deer Park refinery, although it is estimated that most of the refined fuels from this complex are not intended for the domestic market. According to current projections, by September, at the end of López Obrador's term, a reduction in fuel imports to 52,000 barrels per day is expected, marking progress but still far from the desired self-sufficiency. Romero Oropeza has emphasized that Mexico has achieved self-sufficiency in jet fuel, a significant milestone on the path to energy independence. However, Pemex Transformación Industrial's continuous losses have been a constant obstacle in the pursuit of fuel self-sufficiency. Despite efforts and investments in the energy sector, the country's dependence on imported refined products remains a pending challenge. Fuel self-sufficiency has been one of the main promises of the López Obrador government, but its fulfillment has been hindered by several factors, including delays in infrastructure and operational issues in refineries. While there have been advances in reducing imports, the ultimate goal of achieving fuel self-sufficiency still remains out of reach. In a context where energy security and production efficiency are essential for the country's economic development, achieving fuel self-sufficiency is presented as an urgent objective. The Mexican government and Pemex face the challenge of strengthening actions aimed at enhancing national refining capacity and reducing dependence on imports to ensure sustainable and effective internal fuel supply.