A continued decline in our proved hydrocarbon reserves and production could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
Some of our existing oil and gas producing fields are mature and, as a result, our reserves and production may decline as reserves are depleted. In prior years the replacement rate for our proved hydrocarbon reserves has been insufficient to prevent a decline in our proved reserves. However, during 2019, our total proved reserves increased by 171.7 million barrels of crude oil equivalent, or 2.4%, after accounting for discoveries, extensions, revisions, and delimitations, from 7,010.3 million barrels of crude oil equivalent as of December 31, 2018 to 7,182.0 million barrels of crude oil equivalent as of December 31, 2019. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Business Overview—Exploration and Production––Reserves” in the Form 20-F. Our reserve-replacement ratio, or RRR, in 2019 was 120.1%, as compared to our RRR of 34.7% in 2018. Nevertheless, our crude oil production continued to decrease by 9.5% in 2017, by 6.4% in 2018 and by 7.6% in 2019, primarily as a result of the decline of the Cantarell, Yaxché-Xanab, Crudo Ligero Marino, El Golpe-Puerto Ceiba, Bellota-Chinchorro, Antonio J. Bermúdez, Cactus-Sitio Grande, Ixtal-Manik, Chuc, Costero Terreste and Tsimín-Xux projects. There can be no assurance that we will be able to stop or reverse the decline in our proved reserves and production, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Developments in the oil and gas industry and other factors may result in substantial write-downs of the carrying amount of certain of our assets, which could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
We evaluate on an annual basis, or more frequently where the circumstances require, the carrying amount of our assets for possible impairment. Our impairment tests are performed by a comparison of the carrying amount of an individual asset or a cash-generating unit with its recoverable amount. Whenever the recoverable amount of an individual asset or cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to the recoverable amount.
Changes in the economic, regulatory, business or political environment in Mexico or other markets where we operate, such as the liberalization of fuel prices or a significant decline in international crude oil and gas prices, among other factors, may result in the recognition of impairment charges in certain of our assets. Due to the decline in oil prices, we have performed impairment tests of our non-financial assets (other than inventories and deferred taxes) at the end of each quarter. As of December 31, 2018, we recognized a net reversal of impairment of Ps. (21,419.0) million. As of December 31, 2019, we recognized an impairment charge in the amount of Ps. 97,082.2 million. As of March 31, 2020, we recognized a net reversal of impairment of Ps. (26,316.2) million. See Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements for further information about the impairment of certain of our assets. Future developments in the economic environment, in the oil and gas industry and other factors could result in further substantial impairment charges, adversely affecting our operating results and financial condition.
Increased competition in the energy sector could adversely affect our business and financial performance.
The Mexican Constitution and the Ley de Hidrocarburos (Hydrocarbons Law) allow other oil and gas companies, in addition to us, to carry out certain activities related to the energy sector in Mexico, including exploration and production activities, and the import and sale of gasoline. As a result, we face competition for the right to explore and develop new oil and gas reserves in Mexico. We also face competition in connection with certain refining, transportation and processing activities. Increased competition could make it difficult for us to hire and retain skilled personnel. While we have not yet experienced significant adverse effects from increased competition, there can be no assurances that we will not experience such adverse effects in the future. If we are unable to compete successfully with other oil and gas companies in the energy sector in Mexico, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
We participate in strategic alliances, joint ventures and other joint arrangements. These arrangements may not perform as expected, which could harm our reputation and have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We have entered into and may in the future enter into strategic alliances, joint ventures and other joint arrangements. These arrangements are intended to reduce risks in exploration and production, refining, transportation and processing activities. Our partners in such arrangements may, as a result of financial or other difficulties, be unable or unwilling to fulfill their financial or other obligations under our agreements, threatening the viability of the relevant project. In addition, our partners may have inconsistent or opposing economic or business interests and take action contrary to our policies or objectives, which could be to our overall detriment. If our strategic alliances, joint ventures and other joint arrangements do not perform as expected, our reputation may be harmed and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
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