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The National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) will exclude parámos, or high-mountain tundra- from blocks being offered in the upcoming Colombia Round 2014.

While acknowledging that there are long delays in the implementation of royalty projects, which do not always go to the greatest needs, the new system has ended the “super scandals” associated with royalty abuse and corruption.

The National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) held a workshop that covered a number of topics related to security, social conflicts, environment and infrastructure gains for the hydrocarbons industry.

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) wants to install a station that would allow it to pump naphtha or fuels through a seven kilometer pipeline that is buried two meters below the surface in Santander, but environmentalists have organized to oppose the project on the grounds it could affect the local water sources.

Over the past few weeks, the focus of environmental criticism has shifted from the oil companies themselves to the impact of crude spills from guerrilla attacks on infrastructure. But E&P companies are not completely off the hook.

A convoy with nearly two dozen tankers full of crude were stopped on their way to Ecuador by the Farc and forced to open their valves. The tankers were following an alternative route that has been proposed as a safer option to shipping the crude via truck or pipeline across Colombia.

The National Authority of Environmental Licenses (ANLA) has placed “preventative measures” on a water disposal operation for the Rancho Hermoso project in Casanare, which is operated by Canacol Energy (TSX:CNE) in partnership with Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC).

Based on numbers from 2011, the hydrocarbons industry produced more than 92,000 tons of toxic waste, which represents some 43.5% of all toxic waste produced in the country, according to a report from waste management firm Tecniamsa.

Even if use for unconventional exploration and production is included, the oil industry’s use will only amount to around 0.5% of the country’s consumption according to numbers from the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) held workshops and drills with municipalities, civil defense authorities, firefighters and health officials to implement and certify its contingency plan along the security-challenged Coveñas/Caño Limón Pipeline.