US natural gas exports to Mexico grew by 24% to 1.69 billion
cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in 2012, the highest level since the
data collection began in 1973. With imports now accounting for
more than 30% of its total supply, Mexico’s natural gas use is
also at its highest level ever. Natural gas consumption is
rising faster in Mexico than natural gas production, and as a
result, Mexico is relying more on natural gas imports from the
United States. Between 2007 and 2011, natural gas consumption in
Mexico rose 4% per year on average, while average annual natural
gas production climbed only 1.2%. Growing demand in the
industrial sector drove the increases in natural gas consumption
in Mexico to a record-high level in 2011, according to Petróleos
Mexicanos (PEMEX)—the state-run oil and natural gas producer in
Mexico. Before 2006, nearly all of Mexico’s natural gas imports
came from the United States. More recently, Mexico has
diversified its supply sources by importing liquefied natural
gas (LNG) from Nigeria, Qata