President Claudia Sheinbaum Bans Fracking in Tampico-Misantla Basin

Claudia Sheinbaum announced Thursday that the Mexican government will ban hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in the Tampico-Misantla basin. The resource-rich shale formation spans the eastern states of Veracruz and Tamaulipas. Sheinbaum cited the basin's dense population, the presence of indigenous communities, and significant freshwater reserves as the primary drivers for the prohibition.

The decision follows an analysis by an expert panel regarding unconventional drilling as a strategy to reduce Mexico's reliance on United States natural gas, which currently meets approximately 75% of the country's daily demand. Sheinbaum stated that proposed measures could reduce this dependence to 50%, noting that further reductions would require responsible unconventional gas extraction.

While fracking is prohibited in Tampico-Misantla, the government commission will continue evaluating other basins. Officials specifically recommended pursuing unconventional extraction in areas containing salt water to lower imports from the U.S. without compromising critical freshwater sources.