Bloomberg reported today that Petroleos Mexicanos, commonly referred to as Pemex, may award the company’s first external oil production and exploration contract by the end of 2009.  The report said the contracts will focus on deepwater projects or its onshore Chicontepec Field, which are areas that Pemex lacks expertise.  The first tender offer is expected to be released by the middle of 2009, according to Carlos Morales, Pemex’s Director of Exploration and Production.  Stay tuned.