Tabasco is known for being one of Mexico's oil states, with a very developed industry and fields. As such, the federal Port Authority Dos Bocas (API Dos Bocas), located in the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico, has an industrial and oil calling, and is a major node of the Pemex logistic network. Recently, because of oil rounds, there is increasing activity of exploration and production of oil.

In order to increase capabilities, API Dos Bocas already has called for three tenders for granting contracts to develop, construct and operate terminals and facilities related to oil and gas activities to be operated by Mexican or foreign companies.

Participation in the tender requires that interested parties file and obtain favorable opinion from the Mexican antitrust authority (COFECE). For the record, the antitrust agency has been increasing its scrutiny on port activities and tenders, as well as dynamics of association, joint participation and formation of special purpose vehicles to operate.

The details of the tenders are as follows:

Crude Oil Terminal

A 20-year, renewable contract to develop, construct and operate a port terminal, specialized in handling crude oil, hydrocarbons, petroleum products, petrochemicals and other viable fluids. The contract is for a 3,579,000-square-foot (332,500-square-meter) terminal that can render port services inside the premises, as well as import and export operations (additional permits required).

Key dates to remember are:

• July 2 – Tender rules purchase
• Oct. 19 – Presentation of technical proposals
• Oct. 31 – Presentation of economic proposals
• Nov. 9 – Award of contract

Raw Material and Equipment Facility

A 20-year, renewable contract to develop, construct and operate a port facility, semi-specialized in handling raw material and equipment for hydrocarbons, excluding the handling of hydrocarbons. The contract is for a 215,278-square-foot (20,000-square-meter) facility that can render services of maneuvers and storage in favor of companies with oil contracts, onshore and offshore, in the facility and in common and public dock, as well as import and export operations (additional permits required).

Key dates to remember are:

• July 6 – Tender rules purchase
• Date TBD – Presentation of technical proposals
• Date TBD – Presentation of economic proposals
• Date TBD – Award of contract

Oil Facility

A 20-year, renewable contract to develop, construct and operate a port facility, specialized in storing and processing crude oil, hydrocarbons, petroleum products, petrochemicals and other viable fluids. The contract is for a 1,180,488-square-foot (109,671-square-meter) facility that can render port services, inside the premises and at the public dock, for transferring the products from and to oil tankers, as well as import and export operations (additional permits required).

Key dates to remember are:

• July 12 – Tender rules purchase
• Date TBD – Presentation of technical proposals
• Date TBD – Presentation of economic proposals
• Date TBD – Award of contract

The oil and gas sector is a market with high demand and great opportunities following Mexico's Energy Reform of 2013. The addition of these facilities will add interest to the energy business in the Gulf of Mexico. However, many other projects are increasing midstream infrastructure throughout Mexico in which private and public sector organizations are participating to achieve an open and competitive market.