News and AnalysIs for

The National University has been called in to monitor Ecopetrol’s (NYSE: EC) project in the Humadea River, Meta.

‘Shocking news’ as one of the biggest newspapers in Colombia wrote an article about ‘Reficar’s wonders,’ and Guamal’s inhabitants said they no longer oppose to Ecopetrol’s presence in the region, so long as the company follows the necessary environmental regulations. The development of these and more stories in our periodic Eco summary.

MinMinas has ordered an increase in the bioethanol blend in fuel, from 6% to 8%, as a measure to mitigate Medellin’s pollution crisis.

Ecopetrol reported Bioenergy’s “El Alcaraván” ethanol plant entered the production and operational phase, and will progressively enter the commercialization stage.

Medellín’s Mayor called for Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) to sell cleaner fuel after environmental authorities declared the city on ‘red alert’ because of air quality, but the NOC’s president said if anything, the company is surpassing the official standards set for sulfur in fuel. The development of these and more stories in our periodic Eco Summary.

The discussion of fracking generates much controversy in the country. Luis Gilberto Murillo, Minister of Environment, spoke about this technique and its possible implementation in Colombia.

Last week, the ‘Relevance of Exploration Projects in the Special Management area of La Macarena (AMEM) and the Ariari region’ public hearing, took place in the Senate of the Republic. Topics such as fracking and environmental impacts in the AMEM region were also discussed. HCC attended the event.

The National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) awarded two blocks for E&P to Ecopetrol (NYSE: EC) and YPF S.A. in San Andrés. Environmentalists spoke out against this measure and now the Administrative Court of San Andrés had ruled on this. Now the State Council has confirmed the ruling.

Oil spills took place this week in Caño Barbasco, Puerto López, and in Buenaventura and the companies involved implemented contingency plans.  Regional environmental authorities did strict follow-ups on Bioenergy and Morelco’s facilities in the affected areas.

The new resolution will define the conditions for biogas and biomethane service at a domestic and industrial level in Colombia in terms of quality, safety and tariffs.