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One of the biggest changes by this new government has been finally launching the new Permanent Bidding Process. Originally announced in September 2015, it would be an understatement to say this has had a long gestation period. But it has finally arrived. We asked Marianna Boza and the team at Brigard Urrutia to give our readers an overview.

The implementation of unconventional techniques such as fracking has been one of the main discussion topics in the oil sector this year. Orlando Cabrales Segovia, President of the Colombian Natural Gas Association (Naturgas), spoke about this issue and about the proposal to carry out pilot projects in the country.

Ecopetrol’s (NYSE:EC) Felipe Bayón said that the NOC is currently studying the viability of developing more offshore exploratory fields.

Promigas and Canacol (TSX: CNE) announced an alliance, which will benefit the Colombian Caribbean coast in terms of natural gas supply. Representatives of the companies spoke about this agreement.

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) was able to start clean up activities in Teorama (Norte de Santander), after authorities reported another attack on Coveñas Caño Limon (CCL). The development of these and more stories in our periodic Eco summary.

The National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) announced an agreement between Shell (LON: RDSB) and Noble Energy to operate offshore blocks in the Caribbean Sea. Representatives of the companies and the ANH talked about this important arrangement.

Colombia is not an oil country, but it has great potential to develop in this area, especially in some regions of the country, where the Llanos continue to stand out for contributing a large part of the oil production in the country.

Ecopetrol’s (NYSE:EC) Felipe Bayón said that the firm is working to accelerate the production of cleaner fuels, aimed at improving the air quality in Colombia.

The Farc said it will go to the International Criminal Court (ICC), after President Duque objected to six articles of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP).

Promigas announced its operational and financial results during 2018. The company highlighted its good financial performance during the past year and the firm continues to grow as the main natural gas distributor in the country.