As part of the Latin America Geothermal Systems Workshop 2026, organized by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) for Latin America and the Caribbean Region and held on September 2 and 3, Mexico became a meeting point for a conversation that goes beyond conventional power generation: from Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and new technologies for subsurface exploration and characterization, to the possibility of repurposing wells and infrastructure from the hydrocarbon industry to produce geothermal energy.
This agenda positions geothermal energy as a tangible opportunity to diversify the energy mix, drive innovation, and open new possibilities for Mexico and Latin America. With the participation of representatives from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, Mexico, Panama, and the United Kingdom, and under the theme “Exploring Sustainable Solutions to Meet the Region’s Energy Demand,” the workshop brought together public institutions, universities, research centers, companies, associations, investors, and professionals from different generations to address geothermal energy from a multidisciplinary perspective.
The objective was to leverage the science, technology, and accumulated experience of the oil and gas industry to develop new geothermal solutions and respond to the region’s growing energy demand. Participants included organizations such as the Secretariat of Energy (SENER), the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), the Mexican Petroleum Institute (IMP), the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), IDB Invest, and the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as international companies such as Baker Hughes, Halliburton, SLB, Weatherford, Vallourec, Rystad Energy, S&P Global, Tecpetrol, XGS Energy, among others.
Mexico Has the Resource and the Experience — and Is Now Exploring New Applications
Mexico has approximately 956 MW of installed geothermal power generation capacity and more than five decades of continuous operational experience in geothermal power generation. This is complemented by significant potential that remains to be developed and the opportunity to expand the use of geothermal energy beyond traditional electricity generation. During the participation of the Secretariat of Energy, the need to promote a new stage for Mexican geothermal energy was highlighted, incorporating applications such as industrial thermal processes, heating and cooling, absorption refrigeration, and small-scale projects, while continuing to strengthen electricity generation. One of the industry’s main challenges was also addressed: exploration risk.
Confirming the existence and quality of a geothermal resource requires drilling, a stage that involves high costs and a chain of complex processes. For this reason, a financing and risk-transfer mechanism involving the Inter-American Development Bank was presented during the event.
From Oil to Geothermal: Reusing What Already Exists
One of the topics that generated the greatest interest during the workshop was the possibility of leveraging existing oil infrastructure for new energy projects. Mexico has more than 1,600 identified thermal manifestations. In addition, an analysis presented during the event found that, of 187 national fields evaluated, 78 have temperatures equal to or above 90°C, while 39 onshore fields were identified as having high commercial viability for potential conversion into geothermal projects. The proposal is to assess selected existing wells and infrastructure to recover subsurface heat through different technologies, including closed-loop systems and power generation cycles such as the Organic Rankine Cycle.
The idea is not to automatically convert all oil wells into geothermal projects. The challenge is to identify which ones may be technically viable, considering factors such as temperature, flow rate, depth, pressure, mechanical condition, fluid type, available infrastructure, and proximity to energy demand. This approach represents one of the key messages of the event: the energy transition can also be built by leveraging the knowledge and assets developed by existing industries.
From Heat to Electricity and from Electricity to Minerals
The event addressed the possibility of directly using geothermal heat in industrial processes and other applications, as well as the potential to recover minerals present in geothermal brines, particularly lithium. Sessions featured work on lithium extraction from oilfield and geothermal brines, presenting a vision in which a single subsurface system can offer multiple opportunities: thermal energy, electricity generation, and strategic minerals. This convergence could become one of the most relevant areas for the future of energy in Latin America, where the energy transition requires not only new sources of electricity, but also new technologies, materials, and models for utilizing natural resources.
A Platform for Latin America to Learn Together
The scope of the event was regional. Discussions incorporated experiences and case studies from countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and other markets, as well as international references from Europe and North America.
One recurring message was that geothermal development does not depend on a single technology or a single industry. It requires the integration of geosciences, engineering, technology, regulation, financing, business knowledge, and talent development. The workshop also examined international trends in the geothermal market, the challenges involved in taking a project from exploration to commercialization, and the need to reduce risks during the early stages in order to attract investment. For Latin America, the challenge is to turn this knowledge into viable and scalable projects. For Mexico, the opportunity is particularly significant given its historical experience, infrastructure, talent, and position within regional geothermal development.
AAPG: Connecting Knowledge to Open New Frontiers
Through this event, AAPG further expands its reach within Latin America and demonstrates the value of creating spaces where different disciplines and sectors can come together around the energy challenges of the future. The joint participation of government institutions, universities, research centers, energy and technology companies, investors, and professional associations allowed the conversation to move from subsurface exploration to the economic viability and implementation of projects.
Mexico Looks to the Subsurface to Build the Future
The Latin America Geothermal Systems Workshop 2026 leaves a clear conclusion: the region’s geothermal potential is not limited to what has traditionally been developed. The combination of oil and gas expertise, new geothermal technologies, digital tools, existing infrastructure, and scientific knowledge can open new possibilities for harnessing the Earth’s heat. Mexico has more than 50 years of history in geothermal power generation.
Now, the conversation is moving toward a new stage: finding new ways to harness this resource, reduce risks, develop technologies, and turn accumulated knowledge into opportunities for the country and for Latin America as a whole. And within this conversation, AAPG seeks to continue doing what it does best: connecting those who understand the subsurface with those who are building the energy solutions of the future.