Fresh off a 24-hour strike on March 19, the USO said they will meet with Ecopetrol and government representatives on March 25, and then determine if they will continue with an indefinite strike as promised.
Both national and local leaders have taken to talk of an opportunity to strengthen other sectors outside of oil and create a more diversified economy, and many planned projects, including a micro-refinery in Meta, will have to be reconsidered. These and others stories in our periodic review of the impact of the fall in oil prices.
The UTEN workers union which represents workers with Pacific Rubiales (TSX:PRE) has an uncertain future due to the decision of Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) to not renew its association contract with the Canadian operator for the Rubiales Field.
A Casanare representative has challenged articles of the royalty reform law while the National Planning Department (DNP) has suspended payments to 106 municipalities who have not reported their royalty use. These and other stories in our routine round up.
The USO welcomed the decision of Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) to not renew the Rubiales Field association contract with Pacific Rubiales (TSX:PRE) saying that it was a result of years of social and political pressure. But the union was clear that it is just the first step.
The Colombia Chamber of Oil Goods & Services (Campetrol) estimates that as many as 15,000 workers with oil contractors have lost their jobs thus far due to the fall in oil prices, and that the cuts will likely continue.
Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) says it has a contingency workforce and that a strike by the USO oil workers union would be illegal and could lead to dismissals. Meanwhile the union is preparing a 24 hours strike for March 19, which could be expanded into an indefinite one.
Nunchía authorities agreed to expedite the disbursement of CoP$1B (US$380,000) for electrification and gas coverage expansion from the Bicentennial Pipeline while the ANH and UN Development Program have started workshops to improve community relationships with the industry. These and other stories on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in our periodic summary.
The Casanare administrative court will inspect Mate Marrano wetlands after The National Environmental Licensing Agency (ANLA) did not show for a hearing, and authorities say that thus far Paz de Ariporo is not suffering from drought conditions like last year. These and other environmental stories in our periodic summary.
With the naming of former Santos Finance Minister Juan Carlos Echeverry as the new president of Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC), the government planning to convert the NOC into a handy cash box to meet its immediate needs warned USO president Edwin Castaño.
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