The Wall Street Journal spoke with Tim Samples, an assistant professor in the Terry College of Business, about how oil companies have paid to have access to geological data for the first set of oil blocks that Mexico will put out for bids.
Samples, who researches Mexican energy law, said the data purchases may not translate into action.
“Buying data-room access doesn’t necessarily indicate serious interest,” Samples said. “Companies might buy access, or even bid in some cases, for a variety of reasons.
“The real ‘fish, cut bait or go ashore’ moment is coming pretty soon though” when bids are revealed, he also said.
