Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) has issued a counter-proposal ahead of negotiations with the USO for a new collective bargaining agreement, and the union has called it an attack on its rights and “historic struggle” with the NOC.
Colombia’s Orinoquia, which includes the oil producing departments of Casanare and Meta, have been left unprotected against economic interests, in particular the hydrocarbons industry, since government views it as an blank slate for whatever activity makes more money, says a group of academics participating in a recent forum.
The governor of Meta, Alan Jara, met with the Minister of Transportation, Cecilia Alvarez Correa, directors from the National Highway Institute (Invías) and representatives from the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) to define details of a CoP$5T (US$2.6B) highway project being advanced by the central and departmental governments. This and other reports involving Colombia’s roads in the local press.
The General Royalty System (SGR) continues into its second year and there is no shortage of critics for the system, but it also has its supporters as well. Over the week a lineup of editorial opinions and press reports have addressed the royalties and the system used to control and award them.
Parex Resources celebrated the “day of oxygen” and donated trees to local communities, while Equion backs woman entrepreneurs and Ecopetrol helps build a classroom. These and other Corporate Responsibility (CSR) stories from Colombian press.
The National Hydrocarbons Agency has published a letter confirming that it has reached an agreement with Pacific Rubiales Energy (TSX:PRE) and will proceed with termination of its concession contract in the Rio Ceibas basin (VSM-13), to the delight of the local community.
The USO and Ecopetrol have taken another step towards the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement after formally resigning from the current, standing agreement.
Criticism of the General Royalty System has not stopped the National Planning Department (DNP) director from promoting its impact and future, the head of the DNP royalties department visits to inspect projects in Casanare and a VP candidate lashes out at a event after receiving questions about the royalty issue. These stories in our roundup of royalty related events and reports.
Through the Business Association for the Development of Orinoquia (Asorinoquia), regional government entities are looking to create public-private initiatives that would compensate for the lack of hydrocarbons royalties and finance needed infrastructure investments.
Ecopetrol says that it has been busy in Barrancabermeja where it says it invests CoP$206B (US$107.4M) annually into Corporate Social Responsibility Projects (CSR). That and other CSR programs from Equion, Parex and more.
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