Slow start to Mexico oil reform as board delayed

By Robert Campbell

MEXICO CITY, Jan 13 (Reuters) - The implementation of Mexico's 2008 energy reforms has gotten off to a slow start after the government failed to make key appointments at state oil company Pemex.

The legislation called for President Felipe Calderon to nominate four so-called professional directors to the Pemex board by the end of December but the government has so far not made any announcements.

"It is a bad signal that Calderon has not announced his proposals for the professional directors," wrote Mexico City oil analyst David Shields in a local newspaper on Tuesday.

"The professional directors are not going to resolve all the problems at Pemex but they are a symbol of the oil reform."

The professional directors are expected to help improve corporate governance and strategic planning at Pemex but the appointments have been delayed by negotiations between the ruling party and opposition lawmakers, according to Congressional aides and local media reports.

Late last year, Congress passed the energy reform package meant to help reverse the slide in oil production that threatens Mexico's status as the world's sixth-biggest oil producer.

In addition to overhauling the Pemex board, the reform gives the state company more autonomy over its budget and loosens some restrictions on the contracts it can offer to private sector firms.

But while Calderon has the right to name the professional directors, they must be confirmed in the Senate, where the ruling party lacks a majority. Opposition politicians appear to be using their control of the Senate to retain some influence over Pemex.