USO VP and communications secretary Edwin Palma warned media that Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) will cut 2000 positions across the country, and that the NOC has already issued a voluntary separation plan to workers.
Ecopetrol’s president Juan Carlos Echeverry offered a spirited defense of the Cartagena Refinery (Reficar) and its modernization at the recent Congress of the Colombian Natural Gas Association (Naturgas), highlighting that despite the bad press, the project moves forward and is nearly 100% operational.
A letter submitted to congress from the Finance Ministry (MinHacienda) detailing the government’s stake in Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) and another 29 state owned firms sparked alarms form the recently launched “United for Ecopetrol” as proof the government plans to privatize the NOC. The ministry said it is a routine and legally mandated letter submitted each year.
Unwavered by a formal decision to suspend the modernization of the Barrancabermeja Refinery by Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC), city authorities and unions continue to call for the project. The refinery management has denied rumors that it is currently unsafe and defended the NOC’s priorities.
Pacific Exploration & Production (TSX:PRE) said that it grew production in 2015 but, like everyone else in the industry, impairment charges led it to post a loss of US$5.462B. A report in US financial media that the firm is reviewing buyer proposals has also fueled speculation on its future.
A bit of good news as Canacol Energy (TSX:CNE) posted a proved developed producing (PDP) reserve increase of 110%, and a 2P replacement rate of over 1000%.
Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) says that a group of community members protesting a new hiring system –- an alternative to the notorious Community Action Committees (JACs) –- have turned violent and forced contingency measures at the Coveñas port.
Although it has served as a lightning rod for government criticism in Barrancabermeja, Santander, Ecopetrol’s (NYSE:EC) board of directors gave a definitive suspension to plans to modernize the city’s refinery in the 2016-2020 strategic plan.
In Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) 4Q15 results conference call, Cenit President Tomás Rueda revealed that the NOC is working with authorities on a new pipeline tariff scheme. That no doubt pleased his suffering clients.
Geopark (NYSE:GPK) reported production gains in its consolidated operation and in Colombia, which now accounts for 67% of its production, but saw a strong drop in revenues and posted a loss for 2015 due to the oil price.
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