Mexico’s natural gas imports from the United States averaged over 8 Bcf/d since Monday as scorching temperatures in the northern part of the country drove cooling demand.

• August imports average 8.09 Bcf/d
• South Texas flows hit 5.65 Bcf/d
• Northern Mexico temps exceed 115

August US natural gas pipeline exports to Mexico in general have been strong and averaged 8.09 Bcf/d through Thursday, up 6% compared to July and 3.5% higher year/year.

Since the start of the month, South Texas flows have averaged at 5.17 Bcf/d, according to NGI calculations. South Texas flows jumped this week, hitting as high as 5.65 Bcf/d on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, West Texas flows have averaged 2.07 Bcf/d since Aug. 1.

“If the current trend for August continues, it would be the second-highest US natural gas export rate to Mexico on record,” said NGI Senior Energy Analyst Josiah Clinedinst.

Over the past week, highs in northern Mexico reached 100–112 degrees, with parts of Sonora exceeding 115. AccuWeather forecast that northern Mexico could continue to have intense heat through the upcoming week.

Meanwhile, storage levels in the South Central United States continued to drop amid the boiling weather.

The US Energy Information Administration on Thursday reported an injection of 15 Bcf of natural gas into storage for the week ended Aug. 21, below expectations. Pinebrook Energy Advisors’ Andy Huenefeld, managing partner, said the South Central pull was the “primary driver” behind the lower-than-expected build.

The South Central saw a net 19 Bcf withdrawal for the week ended Aug. 21. That included a 1 Bcf injection into nonsalt facilities and a draw of 20 Bcf from salts.

Eli Rubin, senior analyst at EBW Analytics Group said there are “further warm risks in the South Central.”

South Texas hub Agua Dulce spot prices added 14.5 cents to $2.59 on Thursday.

In Mexico news, there has been some pushback against the Sheinbaum administration’s plans to employ hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to up domestic production of natural gas and reduce US pipeline imports. A coalition of more than 30 civil society and environmental organizations issued joint statements rejecting the technology and asking the federal government to rethink its position.