Mexico’s Gas Infrastructure Is Strong but Can Grow Stronger

Q: What differentiates Grupo ISEA from its competitors?

A: Ten years ago, Grupo ISEA restructured, making the company much more dynamic and orienting it toward increasingly higher standards in customer service and new marketing trends. Grupo ISEA hires younger personnel: our staff is 33 years old on average. This fresh talent provides a fresh mentality. Our younger employees pay special attention to marketing and impact measurement, which allows us to have better control over the requirements of our customers. The companies we compete with are companies that have been working in the sector for many years, so their internal processes are not as innovative as ours.

Concerning our product and service offerings, Grupo ISEA has a robust staff of engineers, who work as our technical specialists. ISEA has more than 60 technicians distributed between the north, the Bajio and the center of the country. This allows our operational base to provide an almost immediate response to our customers' requests.

In addition, Grupo ISEA is ISO-9001 certified, which allows it to focus on improving operations based on feedback from customers. The company is also ISO-45001 certified, which focuses on safety issues. These certifications support our differentiating factor of innovation and high-quality customer service in the market, without neglecting social responsibility, since we have an ESG badge.

Q: How did Grupo ISEA design its national operations strategy?

A: Our growth pattern is led by the country's pipeline infrastructure. Pipelines began in the northern region of Mexico, with Nuevo Leon being one of the first states to have access to natural gas. Later, the infrastructure expanded toward the Bajio region thanks to its industrial activity. This eventually encouraged us to open an operational base there. Our operation in the central zone is a result of the agglomeration of our customers' corporations. The areas of the country where we do not currently have operations are the south and southeast. The growing natural gas infrastructure in Quintana Roo and Yucatan is leading us to consider opening another operations center to serve that region of the country soon.

Q: What is Grupo ISEA's forecast for natural gas consumption in Mexico for the next decade?

A: There is a strong level of investment, which is positive from a business perspective and in terms of infrastructure for the country. Mexico has a robust pipeline network; however, these investments are going to expand the network much further. States without far-reaching pipelines, such as the Yucatan Peninsula, are beginning to build their gas infrastructure, too. This growth is very attractive for Grupo ISEA. The future of natural gas consumption is also extremely promising, as it is consolidating as a key source for power production within the energy transition. The biggest recent growth in consumption that we perceive is in the residential sector rather than in the commercial sector. However, we do not rule out that in the medium term, the infrastructure around natural gas consumption for industrial and commercial use will grow as well.  ISEA is convinced its growth must be accompanied by safety, health, quality, philanthropy and emotional intelligence, without neglecting our institutional values and our 14 ISEA Principles.

Q: What are the areas of opportunity to improve the current natural gas infrastructure in Mexico?

A: We could improve the necessary paperwork by making it faster and more efficient. Another key area is to prioritize the operation and maintenance of our existing pipelines. If we continue to make the network more robust without considering the maintenance it requires for proper operation, we will also face challenges and delays in the supply of natural gas. We need to conduct national surveys to map areas of opportunity to improve the infrastructure and look for the most innovative solutions to resolve these problems.

Q: How does Grupo ISEA participate in pipeline design, construction and maintenance?

A: Since our core business is focused on natural gas, Grupo ISEA can participate in different stages of the gas value chain. We have an engineering department, as well as a manufacturing line. These complementary business lines allow us to participate in the design and calculation of gas pipelines and stations, the interconnection of pipelines, the manufacturing and construction of pipelines and city gate stations and the construction of the internal and residential gas network. We manage different platforms that help us reduce time from product development, implementation and project commissioning. We have diverse machinery, equipment, vehicles and infrastructure that allows us to be more efficient by reducing costs.

Q: How have Grupo ISEA’s engineering and construction processes evolved to minimize shrinkage during gas distribution?

A: Mexico’s concerns regarding shrinkage have been diminished. Improvements in measurement and calibration within the gas distribution systems have allowed for greater accuracy in measuring the volumes of gas being transported and consumed. Additionally,  electro correctors and flow computers that correct pressure and temperature are incorporated, giving operators a fully accurate overview of consumption. Rules and regulations have also changed, so more safety devices have been incorporated. The implementation of technology in distribution processes and regulatory improvements have strongly reduced shrinkage, so it is no longer a priority concern during distribution processes.

Grupo ISEA is a Mexican company, founded in 2011, that is focused on the natural gas sector. It offers design, manufacturing, commissioning and maintenance solutions for industrial, commercial and residential natural gas projects.