President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday that Mexico will prohibit fracking in the Tampico-Misantla basin located in the state of Veracruz.
This decision marks a significant shift in the administration's approach to energy extraction, balancing the need for natural gas with the protection of indigenous populations and fragile ecosystems.
The ban follows a review by a committee of 54 expert specialists [2]. The committee vetoed the exploitation of unconventional gas in the region due to its potential environmental impact and the risks posed to indigenous communities [3]. Sheinbaum said the recommendation would be followed after considering that the region is environmentally and socially inviable for these projects [1].
Despite the ban in Tampico-Misantla, the government is opening the door to evaluate fracking in other basins. Sheinbaum said new technologies would allow the government to reduce environmental impacts [2]. These evaluations are subject to strict environmental safeguards to prevent the damage seen in other global fracking operations.
Under the proposed new conditions, any approved projects must adhere to rigorous sustainability standards. One such requirement is that a minimum of 75% of the liquid used in the process must be recycled [2].
The move comes as Mexico looks to leverage its energy reserves. Estimates suggest there are 141.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas underground across the country [4]. By restricting extraction in high-risk areas while permitting it elsewhere, the administration seeks a middle ground between energy independence and environmental preservation.
The committee's findings have forced the administration to adjust its energy roadmap, ensuring that social and ecological viability takes precedence over immediate extraction goals [3].
“The region is environmental and socialmente inviable for this type of projects.”
The decision reflects a strategic pivot by the Sheinbaum administration to move away from a blanket opposition to fracking toward a regulated, case-by-case approach. By protecting the Tampico-Misantla basin, the government acknowledges the high social and ecological cost of extraction in indigenous territories, while the 75% recycling mandate suggests an attempt to implement a 'green' fracking model to secure national energy reserves.
