Increased Purchases from the U.S.
Mexico’s purchases of natural gas from the United States have reached an all-time high, averaging 6,758 million cubic feet per day so far this year. This represents a 3.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024, totaling over 210,190 million units per day. However, when comparing to 2018, the increase is a substantial 47%, with Mexico importing 4,597 million cubic feet per day through pipelines from its northern neighbor.
Growth Under Morena Government
Since Morena took power in Mexico, the country’s natural gas imports have surged by 2,161 million cubic feet per day. Despite the government’s commitment to energy self-sufficiency, these figures show a significant reliance on U.S. imports.
- In 2025, the highest monthly average volumes were recorded: 7,268 million cubic feet per day in May, surpassed by 7,287 million cubic feet per day in June, and again exceeded in August with an average of 7,390 million cubic feet per day.
Export Routes and Capacity
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), natural gas exports to Mexico enter through four primary corridors: southern Texas, western Texas, Arizona, and California. The combined capacity of these routes is approximately 14,800 million cubic feet per day. Currently, the available capacity is being used at 43%, leaving room for further import increases.
Constraints on U.S. Exports
The EIA explains that several factors limit U.S. natural gas exports to Mexico, including infrastructure restrictions in Mexico such as the construction of new pipelines and delays in permit processing. Additionally, limited natural gas storage capacity in Mexico also poses a challenge.
Since 2024, exports via pipelines from western and southern Texas have collectively accounted for 91% of U.S. natural gas sales to Mexico.
Ductos, Impulso
The rise in U.S. imports has been facilitated by the commissioning of additional connection pipelines in central and southwestern Mexico over recent years, as reported by the U.S. regulator.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) also notes that over complete years, U.S. natural gas exports to Mexico averaged 6,400 million cubic feet per day in 2024. This represents a 25% increase from 2019 and the highest historical level observed since 1975.
Mexico’s total natural gas consumption rose from 7,700 million cubic feet per day to 8,690 million cubic feet per day during the same period. Most of this growth occurred in Mexico’s electricity sector.
Mexico plans to expand its national gas pipeline network to meet potential demand growth. The natural gas imported through the southern Texas corridor via the Texas-Tuxpan pipeline connects to liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, power plants, and other uses, linking to the Puerta al Sureste submarine pipeline that will supply gas to new power plants in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Natural gas is considered a “transition fuel” as it lies between dirtier fossil fuels (coal, gasoline, diesel, fuel oil) and primary energy sources with low or no greenhouse gas emissions.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current level of Mexico’s natural gas imports from the U.S.? Mexico is currently importing an average of 6,758 million cubic feet of natural gas per day from the U.S.
- How does this compare to previous years? Compared to 2024, imports are up by 3.2%. However, when compared to 2018, there’s been a 47% increase.
- What factors limit U.S. natural gas exports to Mexico? Constraints include infrastructure limitations in Mexico, such as the construction of new pipelines and delays in permit processing. Limited natural gas storage capacity in Mexico also poses a challenge.
- What is the current capacity and utilization of U.S.-Mexico natural gas export routes? The combined capacity of the four primary corridors is approximately 14,800 million cubic feet per day, with a current utilization rate of 43%.
- What is the significance of natural gas as a “transition fuel”? Natural gas serves as an intermediate fuel source between dirtier fossil fuels and cleaner, low-emission primary energy sources.
