Court Rules PEMEX Not Liable for Oro Negro Contracts

A federal court has denied Perforadora Oro Negro’s final legal appeal against PEMEX, closing an eight-year dispute over canceled offshore drilling contracts worth more than US$850 million.

On Sept. 1, 2025, the Tenth Collegiate Administrative Court of the First Circuit ruled against Oro Negro’s amparo, upholding a 2023 decision from Mexico’s Federal Administrative Justice Court. 

The decision confirms PEMEX acted within its rights when it terminated four platform leasing and operation contracts in October 2017, freeing the NOC from potential indemnity obligations.

The case centered on contracts signed between 2013 and 2014 through PEMEX Exploración y Producción (PEP) for the platforms PRIM TODCO, Laurus, Fortius and Decus. The agreements, valued at a combined US$852 million plus value-added tax, included not only the leasing of the drilling units but also their operation, maintenance and crew. Oro Negro argued the early termination was unlawful and sought compensation.

The three-judge panel, presided over by Magistrate Alfredo Báez and joined by Magistrate Ana María Ibarra and acting Magistrate-Secretary Yaremy Penagos, unanimously rejected Oro Negro’s claims. The court validated PEMEX’s 2017 notices of termination, affirming the legality of the company’s decision to end the contracts before their scheduled terms.