News and AnalysIs for

In an attempt to help climate change, firms operating in Colombia announced a roadmap to reduce their CO2 emissions. The development of these and more stories in our periodic Eco summary.

This week we have a thoughtful (and beautifully written) reflection by Luis Pacheco on the great controversy of our industry: the struggle to find a balance between development and conservation. MinAmbiente Ricardo Lozano’s set phrase – produce while conserving and conserve while producing – sounds great but reality is far more complex as Luis shows us here.

Two projects to modify the structure of Colombia’s Autonomous Regional Corporations (CAR) will soon be discussed in Congress.

The new Minister of Environment (MinAmbiente), Ricardo Lozano, has been in charge of the entity for 100 days. What has changed so far?

The National Agency of Environmental Licenses (ANLA) announced fiscal benefits to firms that prevent pollution scenarios and work towards improving Colombia’s environmental conditions.

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) announced that it activated a new contingency plan in the Coveñas Caño Limon (CCL) pipeline, after authorities reported an attack in Norte de Santander. The development of these and more stories in our periodic Eco summary.

Late Friday afternoon, the State Council issued a decision suspending existing fracking regulation. Recent governments have denied there was any regulation on fracking so it is not clear what the implications might be, nor is it clear what impact this might have on Ecopetrol’s (NYSE:EC) proposed trial.

The non-public oil sector proposed pilot fracking projects in the Magdalena Medio Valley (VMM) to show Colombians that these projects could be developed in a friendly way with the environment. However, the National Agency of Environmental Licenses (ANLA) decided against this alternative.

The Minister of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) announced that 10 experts will define the future of fracking in Colombia. We looked at who was appointed, what might be known about their pre-conceptions and what the implications might be.

The National Agency of Environmental Licenses (ANLA) said that investors from Chile, Turkey and India, among other countries, are interested in learning about Colombia’s licensing system.