Mexico could see a considerable increase in SURF capex over the next five years in comparison to the historic period (2010-2014), driven entirely by state-owned PEMEX. Although due to recent changes in legislation, demand could be supported by private companies. Despite the projected increase, Mexico's demand will be significantly smaller than Brazil, only accounting for a fraction of Brazil's projected SURF capex (7%). Increasing demand in Mexico stems from PEMEX's movement into deeper waters in order to help reduce the country's production decline. A noteworthy development expected to drive SURF investment in the country includes PEMEX's Lakach oil field. The field, which is situated in water depths of around 988 m (3,241 ft), could account for 42% of the country's SURF investments over the next five years. Saipem was awarded the EPIC contract for the development of the field, which involves connecting Lakach to an onshore gas conditioning plant. Aker Solutions was recently awarded a contract to provide electro-hydraulic steel umbilicals for the field development.
-George Griffiths, Senior Energy Researcher, Infield Systems