U.S. Energy Information Administration said last week pipeline exports from west Texas to Mexico averaged 1.6 billion cubic feet per day during May 2022 – the largest pipeline export from west Texas on record. Compared to 2021, pipeline exports from west Texas January through May 2022 increased by 12 percent to average 1.4 Bcfd. Natural gas pipeline exports from west Texas have grown steadily recently – doubling from 0.6 Bcfd in 2019 to 1.2 Bcfd in 2021 as more pipelines in central and southwest Mexico have been placed into service, including Wahalajara system from Waha in west Texas to Guadalajara, Mexico’s second most populous city.
Exports from other U.S. regions have declined in the first five months of 2022, including from south Texas by 5 percent to 3.8 Bcfd.
EIA said Aug. 18 the electric power and industrial sectors have led growth in natural gas consumption in Mexico. EIA added, “Much of this growth in natural gas consumption has been met by growth in pipeline exports from the United States.” The share of Mexico’s natural gas supply met by pipeline imports from the U.S. grew from 61 percent in 2019 to 72 percent in 2021.