Mexican agency keeps light on for energy data

A Mexican watchdog agency is helping to prop open a window into the country's energy data by obliging state-owned Pemex to follow through on information requests.

The data watchdog (INAI) on 25 January ordered Pemex to provide a better answer to a citizen's request for detailed refinery information after it responded with just a broken link to online data. INAI commissioner Francisco Acuna led the effort, which prompted Pemex to make the detailed refinery information available in monthly operating reports that have subsequently been published.

The request reveals the internal tug-of-war within the administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador over data transparency. He promised a transparent government after taking office in December 2018, following an election in which his predecessor's party suffered at the polls partially because of corruption allegations. Yet the president sometimes presents data in conflict with other official sources, and explains decisions by saying he has his different numbers.

"There certainly is a desire from the current government to hide or at least defer public data, even if numbers are positive," said energy consultant Gonzalo Monroy. "INAI could now become the only trustworthy source of information we get."

Under INAI rules, no public entity can deny access to most data with some exceptions such as for national security or ongoing legal processes.

Mexico's energy reform in 2014 unleashed requirements to make more energy data public, while some agencies began voluntarily posting data with the aim of attracting private investment.

Most of this information is still available, but there has been some erosion in information flow — the energy ministry no longer publishes monthly crude throughput statistics by refinery on its online portal, for example. Fuel stock information is also not uploaded as frequently as it once was.

Pemex also no longer posts online a monthly report on the number of illegal taps found on fuel pipelines. The information now must be obtained through an information request, or if the president discusses the topic during his daily press conferences.

In addition, the energy ministry did not disclose the criteria or the selection process to choose companies invited to participate in the process of building the 340,000 b/d Dos Bocas refinery.

Pemex's interactive data site has been offline since a cyberattack in November. Pemex has told Argus that all efforts are being made to reestablish the report.

By Sergio Meana