Mexico Allocates $141 Billion to Stabilize Pemex, Boost 2026 Budget by 7.7%

Mexico has allocated 263.5 billion pesos (approximately 141 billion dollars) in its 2026 budget to support the financially struggling state-owned oil company, Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), in repaying its debts. This allocation is part of a broader financial aid package aimed at stabilizing the company, which has been burdened with significant debt for years.

The proposed budget for Pemex in 2026 is 517.4 billion pesos (approximately 277 billion dollars), marking a 7.7% increase from the 2025 budget. The budget document outlines that Mexico anticipates Pemex's daily oil production to reach 1.8 million barrels, with an average cost of 54.9 dollars per barrel. The daily oil export volume is projected to be 521,000 barrels.

Prior to this fiscal support, Pemex had already undertaken several financing measures. In July, the company raised 12 billion dollars through the issuance of "pre-capitalized bonds." Subsequently, it announced plans to establish a 13.3 billion dollar investment tool funded by domestic banks. Earlier this month, Pemex proposed a 10 billion dollar buyback plan to offset its substantial debt due next year.

This is not the first time Mexico has provided budgetary support to Pemex. Over the years, the Mexican government has consistently offered financial assistance to the struggling state-owned oil company. The current president has allocated 6.7 billion dollars for Pemex's 2025 operations, while the previous administration provided approximately 80 billion dollars in cash injections and tax relief over a six-year period. However, these financial interventions have not effectively halted the decline in Pemex's production.

Despite these recent government support measures, including debt buybacks, there are lingering concerns about Pemex's financial health. The company's debt, even after reducing over 20 billion dollars, is expected to remain above 75 billion dollars, excluding payables to suppliers and employees. While these actions represent a positive step, they are insufficient to address the company's operational challenges.

Pemex, established nearly 90 years ago during a wave of nationalization, has long been considered a national treasure. However, years of underinvestment and mismanagement have left the company with over 100 billion dollars in debt and a significant decline in oil production, currently at about half of its peak levels from two decades ago.

While Pemex's short-term financial situation appears more stable, it remains uncertain whether these financial supports will drive production increases. Last month, the company released a comprehensive business plan outlining its goal to achieve a daily production of 1.8 million barrels of oil (along with 5 billion cubic feet of natural gas). However, analysts believe this plan is insufficient to reverse the downward trend in production.

Currently, Pemex is exploring partnerships with private enterprises to develop its aging oil wells and offshore oil and gas reserves. The company is also considering increasing hydraulic fracturing operations to tap into Mexico's abundant shale gas resources. A government document released last week indicated that Pemex has signed 11 cooperation agreements with private companies, although details about the projects and partners were not disclosed.