November 30, 2008
Oil, renewables in Lacandon Forest

For over 50 years, oil companies have explored the Lacandon Forest looking for sources of oil. Franz Blom created the first modern map of the area in 1953 under contract to these companies.

From Mexico Solidarity Network:

Energy Secretary Georgina Kessel announced plans this week to begin
drilling for oil in the Lacandon rainforest. Citing a study conducted by
Pemex, Kessel estimated by 2021 Chiapas fields could be producing 500,000
barrels a day from 17,000 new wells. Kessel also announced the
construction of a bio-energy plant to produce biodiesel from the jatrofa
curcus, a hardy plant that can be grown in marginal soils. Experts
predict the facility will require at least 7,500 acres of mono-culture
production. The plant uses technology developed in Colombia and is
financed by at least US$800,000 in federal and state funds. Two
previously funded bio-energy plants in Cintalapa and Huehuetan consumed
about US$500,000 in state investment, but both plants are now abandoned,
due in part to the lack of a market for the relatively expensive
bio-diesel. Some communities participating in the federal ProArbol
(Pro-Tree) program are reportedly receiving seeds to plant jatrofa curcus
instead of trees.

Kessel’s announcement is part of an ambitious resurgence of Plan Puebla
Panama, now renamed the Mesoamerica Project, that contemplates four
regional development engines: tourism, minerals, oil and bio-energy.
Plans include construction of a controversial highway linking San
Cristobal de las Casas and Palenque. Canadian mining companies have been
particularly active in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas region. The plans are
generating substantial community-based opposition from indigenous
communities and environmentalists.

This is apparently based on reporting by Hermann Bellinghausen:

Oficial: Pemex explorará y extraerá crudo en la selva Lacandona, afirma Kessel - La Jornada

Los planes petroleros oficiales amenazan la biodiversidad de Chiapas: ecologistas - La Jornada

Secretary of Energy Kessel responded that no, they are not looking to drill in the Selva Lacandona. In her announcement she had referred to the "cuencas del sureste" not to the Lacandon specifically. The basin of the southeast.

Descarta Kessel planes de exploración en la Lacandona - El Universal - Finanzas

The promotion of the plan to expand production in Chiapas (whether in the Lacandon forest or not) may have come as a response to this:

Energy Tribune - Refinery Scheme Sunk by Falling Pemex Output

Posted by Dave at November 30, 2008 11:27 AM