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Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) has launched its new business plan through 2020, with a renewed focus on exploration and production and an estimated US$13B investment plan.

The Minister of Mines and Energy Germán Arce detailed the measures being taken by the government to attract new investment for the sector, which the ministry believes could bring in an additional US$6.5B in investment for hydrocarbons and mining.

The Inspector General’s office issued a statement on the growing trend of public referendums to reject hydrocarbons production at the municipal level, and said that these are costly, the competence of the state and affect investment for social and economic development.

The uncertainty following the win of the “no” vote in Sunday’s plebiscite is still as deep as ever. There have been several developments though: a march in favor of peace, a rare Uribe/Santos meeting and a deadline for the ceasefire in the very near future.

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) will start its Rubiales field drilling campaign this month with 72 wells planned for the country’s largest producing and recently reverted field.

The reversal of gas between Colombia and Venezuela has been a long time coming, but Colombian business leaders are left discontented after it has been revealed PDVSA will not sell natural gas back to Colombia at the same price it received it.

The Colombian Association of Oil Engineers (ACIPET) signed eight cooperation agreements to enhance labor opportunities for its members, and handed out awards during its 2^nd Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair.

HCC was present at the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) congress 2016, held at the club El Nogal (Bogotá), and we bring a brief summary of the most important issues.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) left fuel prices untouched for the month of October, with observers saying that stable international prices do not make it necessary to adjust Colombia’s prices.

The Regional Autonomous Corporation Corporinoquia has found itself the center of attention in Casanare involving a number of environmental issues from the Charte River, a legal dispute with Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) and a waste processing plant closure. These and other environmental stories in our periodic summary.