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MinMinas recently raised gasoline prices by a minor amount but that triggered the usual comments that gasoline prices should be cut.

Vice Minister of Energy Orlando Cabrales continued his push to articulate the government’s plan to see that contracts worth nearly US$6B from the Rounds 2012 and 2014 are implemented, improve community relationships and the reserve supply while they are at it.

Hardly a term used in anti-oil circles two weeks ago, a campaign against fracking has made its way to Meta from Huila as it receives attention from Colombia’s green party as well.

Arauca congressional representative Albeiro Vanegas says that the ELN has stepped up attacks in the department, while the Farc has decreased activity. The congressional president José David Name has called on greater security measures from the government.

For the next Colombia Round, the Colombian Society of Geology says the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) should auction blocks with pre-approved environmental licenses, in order to lessen the potential impact of a process that has become one of the greater obstacles towards exploration and production in the country.

Vice Minister of Energy Orlando Cabrales took the government’s opinion on fracking to the press in a column, defending the practice as necessary to maintain production and in turn development.

The first unconventional project to use fracking techniques has only recently been approved by the National Hydrocarbons Agency, but anti-oil advocates already have a lineup of activities to spread their message.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy announced a small increase in fuel prices for the month of September, while more pressure mounts from political sectors to drop prices.

The impact of attacks on oil infrastructure and community conflict has left daily oil production below the government’s targets, and financial entities, including the Finance Ministry (MinHacienda) and the Central Bank are warning on a new fiscal scenario as oil brings less to the State budget.

Puerto Gaitán becomes an unlikely supporter of the General Royalty System (SGR) while Casanare holds an OCAD to approve new royalty projects.