Office of Global Initiatives

United States/ Mexico Relations

Eagle Ford Shale / Cuenca Burgos 2015

The Binational Center is a leader in promoting research and disseminating scientific studies on the local phenomenon of oil and gas extraction that is impacting the world, known as Eagle Ford Shale. We have participated in various events and conferences to share this information and provide opportunities for our region. Please see below for more details on our events, conferences, and presentations.

January 23, 2015 - First Bi-national Meeting with Webb County and City of Laredo

This was the first bi-national US Burgos Basin Consortium Meeting held at TAMIU to address the economic opportunities and challenges of the Burgos Shale Basin in Northern Mexico. Mayor of Laredo Pete Saenz and Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina welcomed the group, followed by presentations and discussions in regards to the coordination of border leadership and a regional border project to unify the U.S./Mexico border as a "Global Energy Region".

January 30, 2015 - Conference with Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) (CHANGE-NEEDED)

This was a "Discussion and Overview of Best Practices for Solutions to Problems Facing the Transportation Industry: Highways, Pipeline, and Rail". Some of the speakers included Dr. Cesar Quiroga, Senior Research Engineer (TTI); Dr. David Newcomb, Research Engineer (TTI); Dr. Edgar Kraus, Research Engineer (TTI); and Dr. Ioannis Tsapakis, Assistant Research Scientist (TTI).

To see the full agenda and presentations for the day, click here.

February 17-18, 2015 - Mexico Shale Summit The Leading Oil and Gas Event for the Mexico Shale Play

The Office of Global Initiatives participated in the Panel Discussion: economic and social impact from energy investments in Mexico and the benefits for both sides of the border for local economies

February 26, 2015 - Meeting / Memorandum of Agreement Signing with Governor of the State of Tamaulipas, Ing. Edigio Torre Cantú

• Presentations:
  • "A Region of Influence", by Maria Eugenia Calderón-Porter, Assistant Vice President for Global Initiatives, Texas A&M International University.
  • "Academic Goals as an International University", by Dr. Guillermo Domínguez, Director of the School of Engineering, Texas A&M International University.
  • "Energy Developments in Mexico –Best Practices for Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure: Unconventional Energy Resources in Texas: Lessons Learned, Strategies, and Opportunities", by Dr. César Quiroga, Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
  • "Agenda Energética de Tamaulipas: Febrero 2015-Avances", by Ing. José María Leal Gutiérrez, Agencia de Energía del Estado de Tamaulipas.

March 5-6, 2015 - Mexico Oil & Gas SUMMIT 2015

• Presentations:
  • "A Region of Influene", by Maria Eugenia Calderón-Porter, Assistant Vice President for Global Initiatives, Texas A&M International University.

March 11-12, 2015 - Shale World Mexico

The Office of Global Initiatitves / Binational Center participated as a Moderator.

April 1, 2015 - Energy Summit / Ports-to-Plains

• Presentations:
  • "Energy on the Border 2015", by Maria Eugenia Calderón-Porter, Assistant Vice President for Global Initiatives, Texas A&M International University.

April 14-15, 2015- Binational Consortium Meeting

• Presentations:
  • "Tamaulipas and Texas Border Economic Development: A presentation for the Binational Consortium", by the Office of Global Initiatives and the Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development.
  • "Agenda Estatal de Energía: Resumen", by the Government of the State of Tamaulipas.

May 13-14, 2015 - Binational Consortium Meeting

Meeting with the Government of the State of Tamaulipas and local officials from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas and Laredo, Texas.

June 23, 2015 - Oil and Gas Workshop for Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

A five-day Oil and Gas Workshop for Chemical Engineers from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon. Speakers included Dr. Guillermo Dominguez, Dr. Steve Mondragon, and Engineer Robert Porter.

October 2, 2015 - High Level Economic Meeting headed by Congressman Henry Cuellar

The Office of Global Initiatives in partnership with Congressman Henry Cuellar, hosted this high level economic dialogue with representatives from the U.S. and Mexican Federal Government Energy Sector, followed by a Memorandum of Agreement signing between Texas A&M International University and Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, and Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

December 11, 2015 - Petroleum, Energy and Gas Forum: Border Report

Forum with the regional Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Transformación (CANACINTRA) offices and local governments, presided by Ing. Rodrigo Alpizar, National President of CANACINTRA. The event was headed by Dr. Ray Keck, President of TAMIU, Dr. Guillermo Dominguez, Director of the School of Engineering of TAMIU, Mayor Pete Saenz, City of Laredo, Consul Phillip Lindermann, U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo, Consul Gamaliel Muñoz, Mexican Consulate General in Laredo, Texas, Ofelia Garza, President of CANACINTRA Nuevo Laredo, and Maria Eugenia Calderon-Porter, Asst. Vice President for Global Initiatives. Also present were representatives of the public, private and academic sectors of cities and states that share a border with Texas.