Grupo Carso announced on Thursday, July 16, 2026, the acquisition of TotalEnergies' 30 percent interest in Block 30, a light-oil deposit in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico, as reported by Energía a Debate. The transaction, channeled through Zamajal (Carso's hydrocarbon exploration and production division), marks the first offshore foray by Carlos Slim's conglomerate in the Mexican Gulf.
Block 30 is located in the Isthmus Salt Basin (Cuenca Salina del Istmo), 29 kilometers from the coast, covering a surface area of 30.5 square kilometers, with wells reaching between 3,300 and 3,750 meters in depth in water columns of 40 to 50 meters, according to the same source. Harbour Energy, the project operator, retains the remaining 70 percent and will continue leading operations, meaning the acquisition does not alter the field's technical management. The production-sharing contract, with a 25-year term, was awarded in April 2018 by the then-Comisión Nacional de Hidrocarburos. The asset contains the Kan field, whose objective is light-oil extraction.
The transaction value was not disclosed by either party, and final closing remains subject to the relevant government approvals, as detailed by Infobae. With this move, Grupo Carso registers its fourth significant advance in the hydrocarbon sector in less than a year. In March and May 2026, it acquired additional stakes in the Zama field, also in the Gulf of Mexico. In January of this year, it agreed to purchase 50 percent of the Ichalkil and Pokoch fields, operated by Fieldwood México, for 270 million dollars. This follows the contract signed in September 2025 with Pemex to finance and drill up to 32 wells at the onshore Ixachi field, for up to 1,991 million dollars.
The transaction consolidates the presence of Mexican capital in a sector historically dominated by foreign operators. Closing is expected within the coming months, once the relevant authorities issue the required approvals.
This article was drafted with artificial intelligence assistance from verified sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.