</p><p > </p><p >Monday is a big day for Mexico's oil and gas industry. </p><p >Bidders, geologists and industry observers have turned out in the wee hours of the morning to kick off Mexico's first-ever bid event for deep-water acreage.</p><p >A total of 15 companies and consortia, including the globe's top exploration and production players, have lined up to place offers in a high-stakes phase of Mexico's inaugural bid offering, following historic reforms to the sector.