National business newspaper Portafolio reports that in 2013, the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) will invest US$153.4M in subsurface studies in many areas of the country. The ANH will do this investment with the purpose of provide subsurface information to prospective investors, since in 2012 Round some companies chose not to invest in certain areas due to lack of geological knowledge.
In a press release, Sintana Energy announces a farm-out arrangement with ExxonMobile Exploration Colombia. The farm-out is for block VMM-37 in the Middle Magdalena Basin but only applies to unconventional plays on the block. For these ExxonMobile will earn a 70% interest on completion of the agreed work plan. Sintana retains 30% of an unconventional play and 100% of conventional production.
A few weeks ago Baker Hughes pinned part of the blame on Colombia for a slowdown in Latin American rig activity. Today Tuscany Drilling gave its 3Q12 results and the story was consistent although more nuanced and ended on a more positive note.
Equion – a joint venture between Ecopetrol and Talisman – reports the presence of dry gas in the Mapale-1 well. From an Ecopetrol Press Release in English with commentary by Hydrocarbons Colombia.
In the context of the Colombian Association of Petroleum Services Companies, Campetrol’s Expo Oil and Gas, various association officials spoke to the Colombian press. Campetrol has worked with economic think tank, Fedesarrollo to characterize the sector and provide a view into its potential.
According to Minminas, Federico Renjifo, the search for oil continues near Buenaventura (Valle del Cauca), off the Pacific coast of Colombia. For Renjifo it is important to study the area, which is virtually unexplored.After a poor performance for these blocks in the 2012 Round he is certainly right.
In a press release, Canacol updated its activities in the VMM 2, Cedrela and LLA 23 blocks. The latter two are still at initial stages so the news was mostly about VMM 2. Canacol is not the operator – it has a 20% working interest – but given the block’s adjacency to the 100% Canacol Santa Isabela block, the company hopes to get relevant information as well as oil.
The National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) recently published basic exploration statistics as of September 2012. From a drilling point of view the news is not good — the country is likely to fall short by 58 wells — and from a success point of view the story is even worse. Only 3 of the 93 wells drilled are reported as being productive and all 34 A3 wells that have come to a definite conclusion have been declared dry. There are still 52 A3 wells under testing. Seismic is a better story with the country likely to exceed its targets for kilometers of seismic by a comfortable margin (see chart at the bottom of this article).
October 11, 2012 From a MinMinas press release. Translated and with commentary by Hydrocarbons Colombia
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