Mexico's fuel reserves are at risk

For economic powers, securing their energy future is a priority . For example, in the United States in 2016, the amount of stored fuel , diesel , and jet fuel was enough for 27 days; moreover, the U.S. also has large oil reserve s in underground reservoirs . On the other hand, in Italy in 2016, its reserves were enough for 56 days and in the UK , for 31 days. In contrast, in Mexico , in 2016 , stored fuel , also known as stock , was enough for three days.

Since 2016 , the number of oil reserves in Mexico has stayed the same. In early 2019 , when there was a fuel shortage throughout the country, as a result of the fight against fuel theft, it was revealed that the stored fuel, diesel, and jet fuel was enough to supply users for 2 to 4 days.

After those events, the decision to increase the amount of stored fuel was made, which reached its maximum level in August by increasing the amount to one that would last for 13 days. Nevertheless, these positive numbers are at risk once again.

Today, EL UNIVERSAL has revealed that the federal government used a third of its oil reserve to compensate for the fall in the fuel production registered in the last trimester and to prevent a shortage .

According to numbers from the Energy Ministry , the fuel production went from 265,000 barrels per day to 165,000 barrels per day in three months.

In countries such as the U.S., the purpose is to maintain large reserves before the possibility of international crises and to face them without affecting productive activities . Mexico should adopt similar policies and not use its oil reserves if there is no international crisis .

Using fuel reserves , now that they had increased, could revert Mexico's ability to face future crises generated by the lack of fuel . This is an issue that Mexico has to focus on and prevent further problems. What would happen if the country is paralyzed by fuel shortage ? The situation could become a national security problem.

gm