Mexico City - The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, disclosed that Mexican state energy company Pemex is engaged in discussions with enterprises linked to billionaire investor Carlos Slim regarding a potential investment in the Ixachi natural gas field. Recent reports by Reuters unveiled talks between Pemex officials and Slim's companies on a mixed contract for the Ixachi field in Veracruz state and a joint operating agreement for the Zama field in the Gulf of Mexico. Grupo Carso, one of Slim's firms, is already involved in some aspects of the Ixachi operation, including well drilling. The mixed contracts under consideration would allow Pemex to collaborate with private firms, combining resources and expertise while retaining ownership of the natural gas reserves. Pemex, facing financial challenges, is striving to meet its crude oil production target amidst declining fields and limited new discoveries. Mexico, aiming for energy self-sufficiency, heavily relies on gas imports, mainly from the U.S. RBN Energy highlighted the threefold rise in U.S. gas imports to Mexico over the past decade, as local production diminishes.