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CNH approves the PEMEX’s modification proposal for Ku field

Rogelio-Hernandez-CNH-Field-KU-Pemex-Energy-Capital

Despite environmental and economic uncertainties, CNH approves the PEMEX’s modification proposal to its development plan in Ku Field

The Hydrocarbons National Commission (CNH) approved the Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) modification plan to its Ku Field facility in Campeche. Some commissioners expressed their reluctance regarding the plan’s environmental and long-term economic costs.

The plan

The plan will introduce two water injectors and four drill-wells to remove nitrogen-excess in the produced gas.

According to the company, these actions seek to commercialize more gas (with reasonable low-nitrogen levels) and maximize Mexican hydrocarbons value. The estimated production is 221 million barrels by 2064, with a projected investment of $6-billion. 

Dissenting opinions

Sergio Pimentel, CNH’s commissioner, said this change does not attend gas exploitation nor the economic or environmental costs related to it.

On one side, he stressed PEMEX promised to achieve its Ku Field’s 98.1% exploiting strategies by 2020; now, the company says this will happen until 2031, eleven years after their previous deadline.

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On the other hand, Pimentel recalled previous sanctions imposed on the company regarding high-level emissions caused by gas-burning. Since then, PEMEX has had to acknowledge its activities’ effects and ensure measures to tackle CO2 emissions.

Nevertheless, Pimentel points out there are no actual environmental indications with the current changes in the development plan in Campo Ku. The proposal contemplates gas exploitation in the facility until 2034.

Alma Porres and Héctor Moreira joined their fellow commissioner with concern. However, they preferred to accept PEMEX’s proposal with considerations, given Ku Field’s productive importance (currently the fourth most productive complex in Mexico).

Opinions in favor

In that respect, CNH’s commissioners, Néstor Martínez and Rogelio Hernández approved the plan’s modifications, stating the Commission needed to address current problems despite environmental concerns.

Hernández said the country’s economy could not dispense with Campo Ku’s activities right now.

Ku-Field-Pemex-CNH-Energy-Capital
Ku-Field-Pemex-CNH-Energy-Capital

Martínez added that changes in plans do not always reflect lousy management. The commissioner stressed oil and gas projects are dynamic, and so are the developments related to them.

He resumed saying PEMEX already worked on the environmental sanctions it received several years ago; nevertheless, projects’ dynamics require flexibility.

CNH’s commissioners approved the A-0183-3M-Campo Ku Assignment modifications by the majority during their 13th Government’s Organ Ordinary Session. 

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