News and AnalysIs for

The ELN continues to make headlines, and according to the Ministry of Defense (MinDefensa), the armed group is not only operating in Colombia but also in Ecuador and Venezuela. The development of these and other stories in our periodic Security summary.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) reported oil and gas production figures for April 2018. Crude increased compared to the same period of last year, and gas showed positive behavior as well.

Ecopetrol (NYSE: EC) gave details about the Akacías field in Meta, but will social issues be an obstacle for its development?

The boom in popular referenda against the oil and mining sector has generated many concerns and debate in the country. The Government’s strategy to stop this wave was to say that it lacked the resources to finance them, but this has generated a new controversy with communities.

The union spoke about the alleged violation of workers’ rights by Schlumberger, and mentioned the points that need to be addressed in future meetings.

Now here is a little-known fact: higher oil prices lead to better netbacks! OK so it is painfully obvious. Welcome… but painfully obvious none-the-less.

The Works-for-Taxes program is one of the most interesting ideas by the Colombian Government that we have seen in a long time. It is long-established in Peru and companies that saw it work there have advocated for its adoption in Colombia.

The Colombian Chamber of Goods and Services (Campetrol) reported its drill rig information for April 2018. The good trend continues although the industry reported one rig less compared to previous month.

The Embassy of Canada organized a talk about Peru’s experience in prior consultations. Presenting was Tiffany Bayly, Member of the Social Affairs Committee (CAS) of the National Petroleum and Energy Mining Society of Peru. HCC was present at the event and we bring a brief summary of the meeting.

The NOC presented the results of a study that looks at attacks on its infrastructure in recent years.