News and AnalysIs for

Estimates from Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) are that upcoming phases of the current modernization work at the Barrancabermeja Refinery will employ up to 5000 people at its peak of activity in 2014.

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) is launching a pilot plant that will implement a chemical recovery technology in its 28-year-old San Francisco field as part of a larger strategy to increase production in mature fields.

This week the USO continued to call for the release of its Dario Cardenas Pachon, the VP of the Meta chapter, calling his arrest part of an orchestrated attempted by the government and oil companies to attack the organization.

During Pacific Rubiales Energy (TSX:PRE) call to discuss its third quarter 2013 results the company’s CEO Ronald Pantin sought to convince analysts that its production portfolio will be sufficiently diverse by the time its flagship field, Rubiales, starts to decline.

Ecopetrol’s (NYSE:EC) president Javier Gutiérrez said that the Asian market is emerging as a key receiver of Colombian oil while the US increases its self sufficiency in energy matters, and says the country is competitive in the Orient.

Talisman Energy (TSX:TLM) says that following advances in environmental licensing and exploration activity in the blocks CPE-6 and 9, the firm expects Colombia to form an important part of its operation looking forward.

Pacific Rubiales Energy (TSX:PRE) says that it has received the environmental license from the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA) for exploration and production activities in the CPE-6 and Guama E&P blocks, following several extended delays.

Pacific Rubiales Energy (TSX:PRE) says it has reached a preliminary agreement to negotiate a five year sales and purchase agreement of 500,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) with Gazprom Marketing & Trading (GM&T).

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) topped the rankings of the most admired company by opinion leaders in an annual Opinion Panel survey. Meanwhile, a business publication speculates as to how much each share of the NOC will pay at the end of 2013.

Pacific Rubiales (TSX:PRE) is planning to invest US$2B in 2014 with 30-35% going towards exploration, but says it is not currently planning any acquisitions after its recent buy of Petrominerales (TSX:PMG).