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Authorities in Cúcuta have uncovered a complete illegal refinery operation using crude stolen from pipelines, while the military and local authorities contradict on the scope of a spill after a Farc attack in Putumayo in early July. These and other environmental stories from around the country.

The Minister of Environment (MinAmbiente) Luz Helena Sarmiento has announced the establishment of 2 million hectares of protected land, and says that the government looks to declare 2 million hectares more as part of its efforts to better adapt to climate change.

A national TV station has gotten hold of a report issued to the Attorney General Eduardo Montealegre that claims that the oil industry is responsible for the drought in Paz de Ariporo, Casanare earlier this year that led to the widespread deaths of domestic and wild animals.

The National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) says that hydrocarbons companies must be prepared for the El Nño weather phenomenon, calling on firms to treat water resources with special care.

A devastating attack on a convoy of 23 tankers by the Farc in the beginning of July led to 5,000 barrels of oil being spilled after the guerrilla opened the tanker’s valves, and now the local communities have blocked access to crews trying to clean up the mess.

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.