Crude oil exports by Pemex, Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company managed and operated by the Mexican government, fell 44 percent in January 2025 compared to the same month last year to 532,404 barrels per day. That’s its lowest in decades, according to Reuters, “as the company has admitted it is struggling with crude quality.” The monthly level is the lowest since current record system began in 1990. Last year exports averaged about 811,000 b/d after more than 1,000,000 b/d in 2023. Sales to U.S. dropped 36 percent compared to last year.
Pemex CEO Victor Rodriguez said recently that the company had a “temporary” problem with too much salt and water in its crude oil, which drew complaints from customers. He said the problem is being solved, according to Mexico Business News.
Pemex produced crude oil and condensate of 1.62 million b/d in January – 12 percent less than a year ago. And processing across Pemex’s seven local refineries (nothing from its new Olmeca refinery in Dos Bocas with capacity of 340,000 b/d) was 886,787 b/d in January – down seven percent from last year.