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Oil Theft, Energy Security and Energy Transition in Mexico

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journal contribution
posted on 2025-06-12, 22:17 authored by V Vivoda, G Krame, M Spraggon
Oil theft refers to the exploitation of crude oil or refined petroleum products for criminal purposes. In Mexico, oil theft—referred to as huachicolero—is endemic and widespread. By framing it within the energy security and transition context, this paper offers a new perspective on the problem of oil theft in Mexico. Focusing on crude oil and refined petroleum, the paper demonstrates that Mexico’s energy security—as framed around the 4As (availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptance)—has deteriorated over the past decade. Application of the 4As framework in the Mexican context shows that the increasing frequency of oil theft has contributed to this deterioration. The proposed solution to the energy security and oil theft problems is centred on Mexico moving from gasoline and diesel to electrification in the transportation sector. The paper demonstrates that, while transport electrification in Mexico has been lagging behind other countries, recent developments in the country point to growing momentum among the country’s political and business elites, in tandem with US partners, in support for the energy transition. Areas where further emphasis should be placed to accelerate Mexico’s energy transition in the transportation sector are identified. Finally, the feasibility of and potential limitations associated with implementing the transition are evaluated.

History

Journal

Resources

Volume

12

Article number

30

Pagination

1-15

Location

Basel, Switzerland

Open access

  • Yes

ISSN

2079-9276

eISSN

2079-9276

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

2

Publisher

MDPI