MEXICO CITY, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Grupo Carso

, the holding company controlled by the family of

Mexican mogul Carlos Slim, said on Monday it had signed a deal

with state oil firm Pemex to finance the drilling of

up to 32 onshore wells in eastern Mexico, for up to $1.99

billion.

The wells are set to be drilled at Mexico's Ixachi, one

of the country's top natural gas fields, located in Veracruz

state some 70 km (44 miles) south of the Gulf coast.

President Claudia Sheinbaum had in March confirmed that

Pemex was in talks

with Slim's companies as the government seeks more private

partnerships with the indebted state producer.

Ixachi's reserves have been celebrated as one of the

most important finds in more than a quarter of a century for

Mexico, as the net energy importer looks to become

self-sufficient.

In a filing, Grupo Carso said the 28 wells drilled in

the field so far are currently producing some 93,000 barrels of

oil and 715 million cubic feet of gas per day.

Under the contract, Grupo Carso said, Pemex will pay for

each well delivered in monthly payments, starting in January

2027.

"The purpose of the agreement is to drill and complete up to

32 wells over a period of three years, which will contribute to

a substantial increase in oil and gas production," it said.