{"id":280,"date":"2013-10-07T17:26:20","date_gmt":"2013-10-07T17:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cornellilj.org\/?p=280"},"modified":"2013-10-07T17:26:20","modified_gmt":"2013-10-07T17:26:20","slug":"a-giant-falls-pemex-must-partner-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publications.lawschool.cornell.edu\/cilj\/2013\/10\/07\/a-giant-falls-pemex-must-partner-up\/","title":{"rendered":"A Giant Falls: Pemex Must Partner Up, Vol. 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CC Image Courtesy of Patrick Denker<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Giant Falls: Pemex Must Partner Up for the Benefit of Mexicans<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

by Oscar Lopez*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I.   <\/strong>INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mexico needs oil reform. At current levels of production, the country will become a net oil importer by the end of this decade. However, state-owned Petr\u00f3leos Mexicanos (\u201cPemex\u201d) lacks the financial and technical resources to shift from exploiting easily accessible oil fields to deeper reserves, something that will be necessary to increase production. In an effort to resolve the energy crisis, the country\u2019s three main political parties have proposed different solutions to the energy problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Partido Revolucionario Institucional (\u201cPRI\u201d), President Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto\u2019s party, proposes the plan that best meets current social, political, and economic demands. Section two provides a background of the energy reform debate in Mexico. Section three describes the competing proposals. Section four explains why PRI\u2019s proposal is the best plan available and discusses some of the challenges it faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

II.   <\/strong>BACKGROUND<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the proudest moments in Mexican history was the Mexican Expropriation of Foreign Oil.[1] On March 18, 1938, President L\u00e1zaro C\u00e1rdenas ordered the expropriation of the assets of nearly all the foreign oil companies in Mexico.[2] After this declaration followed the creation of Pemex, a state-owned enterprise that has a monopoly over the oil industry. Article 27 of the 1917 Mexican Constitution fully protects Pemex by reserving for the state all rights of crude oil extraction and production.[3]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State ownership of oil is a huge part of the Mexican national identity, paralleling gun ownership\u2019s imprint on the American identity, and conceptions about both are hard to change.[4] Economic realities further complicate efforts to alter the state\u2019s control, as oil accounts for approximately 10% of the Mexican Gross Domestic Product and for about 37% of Mexican fiscal resources.[5] Thus, any reform efforts must tread carefully to avoid both fiscal problems and political sensitivities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

III.   <\/strong>PARTY PROPOSALS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mexico\u2019s three main political parties have argued for their own distinct energy reform plans. Different types of contractual relationships with investors distinguish the plans from each other.[6]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PRD Proposal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Partido de la Revoluci\u00f3n Democr\u00e1tica (\u201cPRD\u201d) favors twelve legislative enactments instead of a constitutional amendment, thus protecting Pemex\u2019s monopoly over oil extraction.[7] PRD\u2019s approach empowers Pemex by taking managerial control of the company away from the state and giving Pemex full autonomy over its budget and management decisions.[8] Additionally, the plan proposes lowering the company\u2019s tax burden by more than 9% to free up resources for reinvestment in technology and human capital.[9] The goal is for Pemex to develop the technology and expertise necessary for deep-water exploration from within the company.[10]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PAN Proposal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Partido Acci\u00f3n Nacional (\u201cPAN\u201d) plan seeks to amend Articles 25, 27, and 28 of the Mexican Constitution[11] to allow for contractual arrangements between the state and foreign investors in the form of concessions of areas for exploration.[12] The plan would also establish Pemex as an autonomous, profit-maximizing entity that would compete with foreign firms for concessions from the state.[13] Under this plan, the  state would own title to petroleum reserves and the National Hydrocarbon Commission, an independent agency created under the plan, would seek to maximize profits for the  state by granting concessions and permits for production and exploration of oil to the highest bidders.[14] Similarly, the Energy Regulatory Commission, another independent agency created under the plan, would have the same mandate but in the areas of refining, storage, transportation, and distribution.[15]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PRI Proposal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRI\u2019s plan seeks to amend Articles 27 and 28 of the Constitution while continuing to embrace the principles that led to the initial nationalization of petroleum resources. Under the plan, the state would retain ownership of all hydrocarbon resources, but it would be allowed to enter into contractual arrangements with private parties. Contractual arrangements would be allowed for profit sharing but not production sharing, and all other areas\u2014like refining, storage, transportation and distribution\u2014would be open for private investment under concessions.[16] The plan would also lower the tax burden on Pemex to allow for reinvestment.[17]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IV.   <\/strong>THE PRI PLAN IS THE BEST CHOICE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRI\u2019s plan is the most likely to succeed because it accommodates Mexican attitudes about national ownership, and because PRI has the support of key stakeholders. PRI\u2019s plan makes it clear that the oil will still be 100% public and 100% Mexican,[18] allaying any fears that reforms will erode public and national control of oil. Further, PRI has a great relationship with the Pemex Union, whose head is also a PRI senator.[19] Since the PAN plan seeks to dissolve the Pemex Union, PRI can rely on the Union\u2019s support, [20] something that will be crucial to any successful reform strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, PRI\u2019s approach builds on a track record of success in that it mirrors a similar\u2014and successful\u2014plan that Brazil previously implemented. Faced with similar problems, Brazil created a hybrid public-private company to spur continued investment in oil while maintaining national control.[21] Under this contractual arrangement, the state retained ownership of the product and majority ownership of the companies, and oversaw the industry through independent regulatory agencies.[22] Following the Brazilian model, Mexico\u2019s reform should attract foreign investment\u2014allowing it to access deeper reserves\u2014because the structure is one the international oil industry is familiar with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, opposition to PRI\u2019s plan on fiscal grounds is unwarranted. PRD feels that Pemex\u2019s problems can be fixed from within through reinvestment[23] and opposes PRI\u2019s plan because it fears reform will lead to budget shortfalls that will affect the funding of social welfare programs.[24] However, PRD has failed to argue how its plan would circumvent this problem, since it also wants to lower Pemex\u2019s tax burden.[25] By contrast, the PRI\u2019s plan would raise taxes on high earners and levy a capital gains tax.[26] Thus, even if fiscal issues are a concern, PRI\u2019s plan does the best of addressing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the preceding arguments in its favor, PRI\u2019s plan is not without challenges. Article 27 of the Mexican Constitution states that \u201c[i]n the case of petroleum, and solid, liquid, or gaseous hydrocarbons no concessions or contracts will be granted nor may those that have been granted continue, and the Nation shall carry out the exploitation of these products, in accordance with the provisions indicated in the respective regulatory law.\u201d[27] To amend the Constitution, Article 135 requires that \u201cthe Congress of the Union, by a vote of two thirds of the individuals present, agree to the amendment or additions and that they may be approved by a majority of the legislatures of the States.\u201d[28] Thus, implementing the plan won\u2019t be easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, PRI\u2019s amendment seems obtainable because both PAN and PRI, who control the requisite majorities in the houses, realize the importance of energy reform and are willing to collaborate to achieve it.[29] Additionally, the PRI should be able to gather the support of its long-time ally, the Green Party, giving it a supporting base of more than 70% in both chambers.[30]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

V.   <\/strong>CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mexico needs energy reform, and PRI\u2019s plan is currently the best option available. This plan will prove attractive to foreign investment because it allows for profit and risk sharing with the potential for large returns on investment. Additionally, keeping ownership of oil in the state\u2019s hands placates the public\u2019s fear of foreign exploitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a PDF of this article in formal, law-journal format, click here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Citation: <\/strong>Oscar Lopez, A Giant Falls: Pemex Must Partner up for the Benefit of Mexicans<\/em>, 1 Cornell Int’l L.J. Online 22 (2013).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

* Oscar Lopez is a J.D. candidate at Cornell Law School, where he is the Cornell International Law Journal<\/em>\u2019s Associate on South American Affairs. He holds an M.B.A. from Texas Tech University and a B.A. in economics and Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[1] Alberto Najar, El petroleo, una cuestion de identidad para los mexicanos<\/em>, BBC Mundo (Aug. 12, 2013), http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/mundo\/noticias\/2013\/08\/130812_mexico_reforma_energetica_petroleo_pemex_an.shtml.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2] Mexican Expropriation of Foreign Oil, 1938<\/em>, U.S. Dep\u2019t of State, Office of the Historian,  http:\/\/history.state.gov\/milestones\/1937-1945\/MexicanOil (last visited Oct. 5, 2013).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3] See<\/em> Constitucion Politica de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos [C.P.], as amended<\/em>, Diario Oficial de la Federacion [DO], 5 de Febrero de 1917, art. 27 (Mex.), available at<\/em> http:\/\/www.latinamericanstudies.org\/mexico\/1917-Constitution.htm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4] See Energy Reform In Mexico<\/em>, Wilson Ctr., Mexico Inst. (Sept. 5, 2013), http:\/\/www.wilsoncenter.org\/article\/energy-reform-mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[5] See <\/em>Najar, supra <\/em>note 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[6] Carl Meacham, Mexican Energy Reform: Politics and Predictions<\/em>, Ctr. for Strategic & Int\u2019l Studies (Sept. 23, 2013), http:\/\/csis.org\/publication\/mexican-energy-reform-politics-and-predictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[7] See Iniciativa de Reforma Energetica del PRD<\/em>, Milenio (Aug. 19, 2013, 6:39AM), http:\/\/www.milenio.com\/cdb\/doc\/noticias2011\/2e1e160511741f3fed8a5a6beb939c40.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[8] David Alire Garcia, Mexico opposition party, PRD, proposes limited energy reform<\/em>, Reuters (Aug. 19, 2013, 5:28 PM), http:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/2013\/08\/19\/us-mexico-reforms-idUSBRE97I0W520130819.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[9] Id.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[10] See <\/em>Meacham, supra <\/em>note 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[11] See Iniciativa Integra de Reforma Energetic<\/em>, Partido Accion Nacional,  http:\/\/www.pan.org.mx\/propuesta-de-reforma-energetica-del-pan\/ (last visited Oct. 5, 2013).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[12] S<\/em>ee Mexico Projects: Get Ready, Get Set\u2026<\/em>, Shearman & Sterling, Project Dev. & Fin. Grp. (Aug. 15, 2013), http:\/\/www.shearman.com\/files\/Publication\/040f0387-3343-4f69-b8e4-8c65214de225\/Presentation\/PublicationAttachment\/de8d124e-840b-4b41-981d-9b63d2709f09\/Mexico-Projects-Get-Ready-Get-Set-PDF-081413.pdf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[13] Iniciativa Integra de Reforma Energetic<\/em>, supra <\/em>note 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[14] Mexico Projects<\/em>, supra <\/em>note 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[15] Id.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[16] Id.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[17] Id<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[18] See 10 Beneficios Que traera la reforma energetica<\/em>, Mexico Presidencia de la Republica http:\/\/www.presidencia.gob.mx\/reformaenergetica\/#!diez-beneficios (last visited Oct. 5, 2013).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[19] See <\/em>Karol Garc\u00eda, As\u00ed Votaron los Petroleros<\/em>, EL ECONOMISTA (Oct. 21, 2012, 4:42 PM), http:\/\/eleconomista.com.mx\/sociedad\/2012\/10\/20\/romero-deschamps-frente-sindicato-petrolero-hasta-2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[20] Iniciativa Integra de Reforma Energetic<\/em>, supra <\/em>note 13 (suggesting that PAN would get rid unionized employees).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[21] Tim R. Samples & Jose Luis Vittor, The Past, Present, and Future of Energy in Mexico: Prospects for Reform Under the Pe\u00f1a Nieto Administration<\/em>, 35 Hous. J. Int\u2019l L. Houston 697, 728 (2013).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[22] Id.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

[23] J. Jesus Esquivel, Privatizar, unica salvacion para Pemex: The Washington Post<\/em>, Proceso.com.mx (Aug. 22, 2013), http:\/\/www.proceso.com.mx\/?p=350720.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[24] See <\/em>Stephanie McCrummen, Mexican president proposes historic changes to state-owned Pemex oil monopoly<\/em>, The Washington Post (Aug. 12, 2013), available at <\/em>http:\/\/articles.washingtonpost.com\/2013-08-12\/world\/41320637_1_pemex-foreign-oil-firms-petrobras (\u201cWe know there is a long line of investors waiting for these reforms .\u2009.\u2009. but we need this money for hospitals, for schools.\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[25] See <\/em>Garcia, supra <\/em>note 10 (noting that PRD\u2019s \u201cproposal would also gradually lower the company’s tax burden by 9 percent to 62.5 percent by 2018\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[26] See <\/em>Jaime Daremblum, Mexico\u2019s Long Road to Reform<\/em>, Real Clear World (Sept., 20, 2013), http:\/\/www.realclearworld.com\/articles\/2013\/09\/20\/mexicos_long_road_to_reform-full.html.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[27] Constitucion Politica de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos [C.P.], as amended<\/em>, Diario Oficial de la Federacion [DO], 5 de Febrero de 1917, art. 27 (Mex.), available at<\/em> http:\/\/www.latinamericanstudies.org\/mexico\/1917-Constitution.htm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[28] Id. <\/em>at art. 135.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[29] See <\/em>Eric Martin, Mexico Needs Constitutional Change to Open Energy, Senator Says<\/em>, Bloomberg.com (Apr. 25, 2013, 1:00 AM), http:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/2013-04-25\/mexico-needs-constitutional-change-to-open-energy-senator-says.html.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[30] Id. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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