Mexican president signs landmark energy reform into law

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto yesterday signed a package of laws that will serve as a rule book for comprehensive energy reform designed to lure billions of dollars in investment to the country’s ailing oil, gas and electricity sectors.

Pena Nieto has made the energy overhaul the top economic priority of his administration, which aims to boost slumping growth in the world’s 15th biggest economy.

He said at a ceremony at the national palace that the energy ministry will announce two next steps in the reform later this week. A so-called Round Zero allocation of oil and gas fields that Pemex will keep is to be unveiled tomorrow.

The energy ministry will also announce which fields will be put up for grabs for foreign and private oil companies in the first round of public tenders, expected to take place next year.