Despite questions on the competence of municipalities to decide on the use of their subsoil through “popular consultations”, a number of communities are still moving forward with plans to hold a vote, or resorting to blockades.
Weeks after a storm of controversy over the Rubiales field, Puerto Gaitán’s mayor and members of the municipal council have visited the field to confirm that Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) is indeed hiring local residents and meeting its commitments. This and other Corporate Social Responsibility stories in our periodic summary.
The USO held 36 hours of continued protests in strategic points affecting Ecopetrol’s (NYSE:EC) crude transportation, and forced the NOC to extend the period to review its collective bargaining agreement by another week and add new items to the discussion.
Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) defended its contribution and legacy in Huila after entering operation in the region in November 1994, in what appears to be an attempt to counter criticism from the USO workers union over the sale of smaller fields.
The palm growing sector which sources most of the raw material to refine biodiesel is close to “receiving its death certificate”, according to the Jens Mesa, the president of the association which represents the sector, Fedepalma,
Ecopetrol’s (NYSE:EC) project manager for the CPO-9 exploration project, Edward Rivero, insisted to the Meta Departmental assembly that the NOC has all of its permits and papers in order, and that despite a campaign to misinform the population, it will not harm the environment exploring the block.
Despite loud opposition from the USO oil workers union, the VP of Ecopetrol’s (NYSE:EC) southern region, Carlos Hernando Candela, confirmed that the NOC will divest of four oil and gas fields in Huila.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) said that it has delivered resources from its production incentive program to benefit both victims of the armed conflict and environmental recovery in the Cesar Cepartment.
The president of Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) Juan Carlos Echeverry said that Colombians are facing a “trilemma” and must decide whether to leave oil in the subsoil or convert it into resources which can be used for well-being and peace.
The USO took the time the last week to participate in a forum against a planned tax reform for this year, and argued that it will harm the finances of Colombia’s workers.