Mexican lawmakers approve energy reform panels

MEXICO CITY, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Two committees in Mexico's senate approved on Tuesday the first part of a package of energy reforms before Congress to allow more private investment in the country's flagging state-run energy sector.

The senate committees voted to create three independent panels, made up of government officials and outside experts, that would oversee the country's future energy policies by promoting energy efficiency, environmental protection and monitoring new oil exploration and drilling projects.

The measures were the least disputed part of the seven bills in the final reform package, with the committees putting off voting on thornier issues -- such as giving the national oil monopoly Pemex more freedom to work with private companies -- until the end of the week.

Conservative President Felipe Calderon wants to sweeten oil field service contracts with performance-based bonuses for private companies in order shore up production.

Mexican oil production fell to a near 13-year low in August as output from the country's largest fields waned. A lack of new discoveries and rising domestic oil consumption are threatening Mexico's status as a major oil exporter.

But Calderon's plans have been held up by leftist opposition parties who fear the reform is a back door to the privatization of the oil industry, a source of national pride.

The measures passed by the committees this week will face a vote in the lower chamber of Congress and then on the Senate floor before they can become law. (Reporting by Miguel Angel Gutierrez; Editing by Andre Grenon)