National business newspaper La Republica reported that Ecopetrol says that despite the attacks of 17 November to Transandino pipeline, management expects to meet its goal of producing around 780,000 bpd on average by the end of this year. Note that this figure is likely production before royalties (see our November Monthly Report). We estimate it is the equivalent of about 655,200 bpd as usually measured (Net of Working Interest and Royalties).
The following is a list of the 12 patents that Ecopetrol has obtained so far in 2012. Seven of these patents have been granted in Colombia, two in Russia and 3 in Mexico:
MILA (Integrated Latin American Market) is the alliance between the stock exchanges of Colombia, Peru and Chile. Of the 861 companies that are part of MILA (Integrated Latin American Market) Ecopetrol is the only Colombian company that reached the international standard for corporate transparency.
As reported by La República, Ecopetrol estimates that by the end of 2012 it will have invested CoP$951,000M at its refinery in Barrancabermeja (Santander). The investment has been earmarked for equipment replacement, maintenance and inspections. Thus Ecopetrol has ensured the operation of turbo generators, power lines, substations, boilers and other major operating systems within the refinery.
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.
The company reported net profit between July and September reached CoP$3.24T (US$1.8B), which meant a decrease of 22.6% compared with the same period in 2011. Ecopetrol said that operating revenue increased one percent from the same period of 2011 while cost of sales increased 20.3%, due to maintenance costs of CoP$147,000M to ensure the integrity of transport infrastructure and wells, as well as the maintenance of Barrancabermeja refinery.
Ecopetrol and Chevron will upgrade the compression facilities at the Chuchupa field to increase its daily gas production. For this, the field will be off-line from October 30th to November 3rd. More maintenance will take place at the end of the month. From an Ecopetrol press release, translated and with commentary by Hydrocarbons Colombia.
The Colombian Auditor General issued a warning about risks associated with Ecopetrol’s sometimes complex interational structures. Like any large firm, Ecopetrol uses a variety of offshore vehicles to structure its operations.