Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking” in English) involves extracting oil and gas trapped in porous shale rock by injecting fluids at high pressure to fracture it.
Mexico intends to reduce its energy dependence by developing hydraulic fracturing on its soil, a technology criticized for its potential to extract hydrocarbons, announced the leftist president Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday. Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking” in English) involves extracting oil and gas trapped in porous shale rock by injecting fluids at high pressure to fracture it.
The industry grew significantly in the 2000s and 2010s in the United States, and American President Donald Trump is a supporter of this technology. Environmental advocates have long argued that hydraulic fracturing causes earthquakes, poses pollution risks, and has a low potential for energy production.
Significant gas deposits
“In the world we live in, Mexico must guarantee its sovereignty, and a fundamental element is energy sovereignty,” said Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday, explaining that 75% of the gas consumed by Mexico for electricity production is imported, mainly from the United States.
Mexico has significant unconventional gas deposits, mainly located in the northern part of the country. However, this decision goes against the fracking ban promoted by Claudia Sheinbaum’s predecessor and mentor from the left-wing Morena party, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (2018-2024).
Claudia Sheinbaum justified her decision by citing “new, less polluting technologies” that “offer the possibility of recycling water and not using powerful chemicals.” She mentioned that a panel of experts was consulted to assist in her final decision, while also expressing a desire to increase energy production from renewable sources, particularly solar.
