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It is safe to say that Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) is confronting one of its toughest years in 2015, with a complex scenario both internally, as it searches for a new president, and externally, as the fall of oil prices cuts into its exploration budget and future revenues.

This article is not about Pacific Rubiales (TSX:PRE). It is about Colombia’s most productive field and the challenges of maintaining the 1mmbd goal.

The low price of oil could be an opportunity for Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) to take advantage of smaller companies struggling with their cash flow and financial obligations and grow their proven reserves through acquisitions, argues a columnist.

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) says that it has held workshops to train local leaders and residents in 332 municipalities on how to adequately react to an emergency, a program that is now in its third year.

The international oil price scenario might be grim, but Ecopetrol has some good news to celebrate as its Chichimene Field reached a new daily production record. But in the current price scenario, how important will this milestone be?

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) has offered an overview of operations at the Barrancabermeja Refinery, which it says is one of its most important industrial complexes, but did not mention any expansion plans.

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) says that it has successfully sent the first shipment of heavy crude to the Coveñas port using a new butane diluent designed to replace imported naphtha, a technique the NOC says could save it US$70M a year.

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) says that the company is still weighing its options regarding unonventional production in the Middle Magdalena Valley, and that it has yet to present a request for the environmental license to proceed with E&P projects.

Ecopetrol says its board of directors has approved a US$7.86B Capex plan for 2015. The investment looks to keep production up while focusing on cutting costs, and is a 26% drop in spending compared to 2014. Exploration and unconventional activities took the biggest hit.

A survey of experts and managers involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs said that Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) is both the most visible proponent of CSR, and also the most respected.