US natural gas imports hit record high in April

During the first third of 2025, Mexican imports of U.S. natural gas climbed 2.7% to a new all-time high of 6.261 billion cubic feet per day (mmcfd), according to figures from the U.S. government's Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Imports of U.S. fuel have seen two consecutive years of growth, although the rate of expansion for the January-April 2025 period is lower than the 8.8 percent rate for the same period in 2024.

Mexico's appetite for US natural gas is a long-standing issue. Considering full years, Mexican purchases have grown every year since 2011, with the sole exception of 2022, coinciding with the systematic decline in domestic production, led by Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex).

Natural gas is considered a "transition fuel" because it is an intermediate fuel between the dirtiest fossil fuels (coal, gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, etc.) and primary energy sources with low or zero greenhouse gas emissions.

During 2024, imported natural gas—primarily from the United States—supplied a record 74.6% of national demand, averaging 8,700 mmcfd, according to the most recent data on the national natural gas balance published in the Energy Information System of the Ministry of Energy.

This figure represents a jump of almost 35 percentage points compared to the 39.7% coverage of foreign gas in 2014.

Meanwhile, the electricity sector absorbed an equally record level of 67.2% of national demand, with nearly 5.85 billion cubic meters per day. In 2014, power plant consumption accounted for 48.5% of the total.

Mexico remains the main buyer of U.S. natural gas, although the latter improved its market diversification during the first third of 2025.

Mexico accounted for 26.3% of total U.S. shipments—primarily by pipeline—lower than the 28.7% observed during the first four months of 2024.

Among the top 10 buyers, the dynamic nature of European countries stood out, receiving the American molecule in liquid form (liquefied natural gas) via tanker.

In order of volume, the most notable purchases were from France, with 1,974 billion metric tons (+34.8%); the United Kingdom, 1,501 billion metric tons (+84.6%); Turkey, 1,323 billion metric tons (+111%); Spain, 1,301 billion metric tons (+84.9%); Italy, 872 billion metric tons (+72.9%); and Poland, 744 billion metric tons (+276%).

Purchases from Canada, the second largest U.S. market, fell 5.9% to 3.094 billion cubic meters per day.

Pemex production down

The rise in imports is a direct result of Pemex's falling production. From January to May 2025, it contracted 6.3% year-on-year to 3.534 billion cubic feet per day (mmcfd), marking its second consecutive year of decline, according to statistics from the state-owned company.

During the same period last year, the indicator fell 8.9% to 3,773 mmcf/d, amid the natural decline in well production and difficulties in completing wells.

Average production observed through May is 15% below the 2025 target of 4,163 mmcfd, set by the current administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum in November 2024 when she presented her "National Strategy for the Hydrocarbons and Natural Gas Sector."

The document, presented at the morning press conference at the National Palace on November 13, projects an expected recovery path for Pemex production, with the goal of exceeding 4.7 billion cubic feet per day starting in 2027.