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According to the NOC, local hiring levels increased 24% during the first semester of 2018, compared to the same period last month.

The union’s president, César Loza, spoke with the press about what he wants to achieve through the negotiations.

There was considerable debate among industry watchers about whether companies spent the Capex they expected to in the first half of 2018 or held the money back. As usual every case is different – and we had to make some assumptions — but it looks like they spent as expected or more, except ECP.

There is no hotter political topic in the industry at this time than unconventionals with both the Ministers of Environment and Mines and Energy making declarations recently indicating a more open approach than that of the previous government. As might be expected, this has ‘unleashed the hounds of war’ from the anti-fracking side. Here well-known geophysicist and frequent contributor Jaime Checa gives his view, rational and balanced as always, scarce attributes in today’s world.

Canacol Energy (TSX: CNE) announced its financial and operational results for the three months ended June 30, 2018. Average production increased, but the firm reported a net loss during this quarter and 1H18 (due to one-time and non-cash charges).

Julio César Vera, president of the Colombian Association of Petroleum Engineers (Acipet), spoke about the importance of fracking to assure the country’s self-sufficiency.

Oil companies are diversifying their portfolios and the industry associations say the petrochemical business has positioned itself as one of the most attractive alternatives.

Ocensa, Geo Park (NYSE:GPK) and Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) spoke about the successful development of social investment projects in their areas of influence. These and other Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) stories in our periodic summary.

Ecopetrol (NYSE: EC) announced its second quarter 2018 results. The NOC financial performance considerably increased compared to previous year, proving that the company is levering current oil prices.

The company announced measures to improve its service in the Colombian Caribbean.