On Sept. 29, 2017, Mexico´s National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH) published the guidelines and model contracts for the first bidding process of “Ronda 3” (Round 3.1). Round 3.1 includes 35 exploration and production (E&P) contractual areas in shallow waters in the Gulf of Mexico, with a total surface of 26,265 km2 (10,140 mi2), approximately 1,988 million barrels of crude oil equivalent (MMBOE), and a remaining volume of 290 MMBOE. The contractual areas included in the bid are as follows:
- 14 contractual areas located in the Burgos area, with a surface of 8,424 km2 (3,252 mi2), and 579 MMBOE of estimated prospective resources.
- 13 contractual areas located in the Tampico-Misantla-Vercacruz area, with a surface of 12,493 km2 (4,823 mi2), 1,217 MMBOE of estimated prospective resources, and a remaining volume of 193 MMBOE.
- 8 contractual areas located in the Southeast Basin area (Cuenca del Sureste), with a surface of 5,348 km2 (2,065 mi2), 192 MMBOE of estimated prospective resources, and a remaining volume of 96 MMBOE.