Symposium Discusses Implications of Mexican Energy Reform for the U.S.

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. View the full schedule online.

WHERE: AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center at The University of Texas at Austin, 1900 University Ave., Austin, Texas 78705

REGISTRATION: $75 per person. Register online.

BACKGROUND: The global price of oil has dropped by more than 50 percent since June 2014, and oil inventories are at an all-time high. Against this backdrop of ample supply and low prices, experts and leaders in law, business, government and academia will discuss the implications of Mexican energy reform for the United States during “The Geopolitics of Oil and Gas in the Americas” symposium Friday, Feb. 20 at The University of Texas at Austin.

Mexico recently announced plans to open its vast oil resources, including offshore and unconventional fields to international investment for the first time in 75 years. Lawmakers in Mexico are finalizing the details for the first bidding round for offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, which is scheduled to open mid-year.

“We’re in the midst of a transformative period of energy abundance, with historic levels of oil and gas production around the world,” said Melinda Taylor, executive director of the KBH Center. “The symposium will explore the myriad implications for the energy business, the environment and economic development in the Western Hemisphere as Mexico liberalizes its energy sector.”

The symposium, which is the first-ever hosted by the new Kay Bay Hutchison Center for Energy, Law and Business, will also cover regional transboundary-transnational issues, supply security issues and governance in the context of energy development.

Speakers include: Mexican Under-Secretary for North American Affairs Dr. Sergio M. Alcocer; former United States Sen. Mel Martinez; and former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Robert Jordan.

The symposium is the capstone event of a weeklong, university-wide Energy Week. From Feb. 16-20, various departments across campus will examine vital energy issues, discuss the latest research findings and share new energy technologies.

*If you are a member of the media, please email communications@law.utexas.edu for registration information.

For more information, please contact: Marjorie Smith, Texas Law, 512-232-2442; or Mauricio Pajon, KBH Center, 512-475-9328.

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