Despite the looming possibility of a populist presidential candidate winning the high office in Mexico, "Big Oil" is betting on the longevity of energy reform in the country. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador , who currently leads the presidential election polls, is promising to reverse aspects of the country's energy reforms. But from the perspective of the major international oil companies, a Lopez Obrador presidency would be little more than than a six-year nuisance, because he lacks the ability to rewrite the legal fundamentals in a way to last beyond his term. Revitalizing a Flailing Industry Five years ago, major reforms brought about a much-needed sea change to the Mexican energy sector. Before then, oil and gas production had been in a free fall , due in large part to the government's restrictive rules.