There is great uncertainty on many levels about the near and midterm future for the industry but the government still has three lifelines that it could offer to the industry to foster activity and investment.
The State Council ordered the halt of a citizen referendum on mining activity planned for Ibagué on October 30th, following an injunction filed by a representative of the Mining and Hydrocarbons Association of Tolima.
In a week of big headlines, including the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Juan Manuel Santos, we highlight another substantial development: the peace talks with the ELN guerrilla will start on October 27th in Ecuador.
Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) president Juan Carlos Echeverry is optimistic both on the future of the peace agreements and the Colombian economy. And he believes that reality will be kind to the NOC when it comes to growing its reserves.
The National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) launched a new program as part of its Hydrocarbons Territorial Strategy (ETH) called “Transformational Leader” which looks to establish a new model of conflict management and peace building.
Following the announcement of a formal start to peace talks with the ELN guerilla, the Vice Minister of Mines and Energy Carlos Andrés Cante said this is a particularly good development for the oil and mining industries.
As Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC starts up a new drilling campaign in the Rubiales field, it also looks to leave its mark on the nearby community of Puerto Gaitán and has been meeting with residents and authorities to convince them of the benefits for the local economy. This and other Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) stories in our periodic summary.
As part of its restart of drilling in the Rubiales field Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) is employing four cutting edge rigs to help streamline the operation and save both time and money.
GasBurdened by a growing amount of unpaid bills and subsidies, Gas Natural Fenosa has listed four solutions it is demanding from the government to address the problems associated with billing customers of its subsidiary Electricaribe, or it will take the Colombian government to court.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) has frozen the price of biofuels which it uses in its special fuel price formula. Palm growers and their association Fedepalma rejected the measure and warned that it will bring substantial losses for their industry.