It was a slow news week for the Colombian petroleum workers union (USO). The only item was this one about the USO taking up the environmental cause against Ecopetrol. Forgive our cynicism but we doubt if the USO has suddenly to the cause of clean water. More likely they are looking for leverage on some other issue or it is part of a broader strategy to disconnect the industry from the community. The irony of course is that MinMinas Federico Renjifo went to the same area within the past few weeks and praised Ecopetrol’s environmental management.
National business newspaper Portafolio reports that the State Council (a superior court that decides on government-related cases) ruled in favor of Ecopetrol in a lawsuit in which 56 individuals sued the company for US$239M claiming ownership of the Cuisiana and Cupiagua fields subsoil. Ecopetrol provisioned the money in the mid-nineties while resolving the lawsuit, so now, after the ruling, it will be returned to the company and will be used on investments.
National business paper Portafolio reports that Ecopetrol is preparing an analysis of the delivery date and costs of the Cartagena Refinery (Reficar) enlargement. Initially the company approved a US$4.9B budget; however, costs could exceed th US$5B. Ecopetrol expects to complete four of the fourteen units that make up the enlargement this year, which will become operational only when the entire set is ready, as the units are part of a complete refinement cycle.
This is the latest in a steam of announcements by the state-owned oil company about new patents coming out of their R&D group. From an Ecopetrol press release, translated and with commentary by Hydrocarbons Colombia.
Ecopetrol guarantees that all diesel fuel from January 1st, 2013 will have only 50ppm sulfur. From an Ecopetrol press release with comments by Hydrocarbons Colombia.
National business magazine Portafolio reported that Enrique Velasquez, Ecopetrol Exploration VP, said that, while in 2010 the company’s oil, condensate and natural gas reserves were 1714 Mboe, in 2011 they totaled 1857 Mboe, an 8.3% increase. In 2011, the reserve replacement ratio was 164%. However, it is important to note that 2011 reserves report did not include the two previous years’ findings. Velasquez said that these reserves will be enough for 8.4 years.
On November 22 Reyes Reinoso Yánez, a chemical engineer from Venezuela, took over as president (e) of the Cartagena refinery (Reficar). Reinoso took office after Orlando Cabrales Martínez quit for personal reasons.
The Family Welfare Branch of the National Army (JEFAM) and Ecopetrol launched “Plan Padrino”. This plan seeks to provide support to soldiers wounded in pipeline areas in the following departments: Santander, Arauca, Magdalena, Nariño y Putumayo.
El Colombiano reports that last October (2012) Ecopetrol’s shares were the fourth most widely traded in the Integrated Latin American Market (MILA), which integrates the equity markets of Chile, Colombia and Peru. The total value of Ecopetrol shares traded during October was approximately US$445M. In Toronto, the stock closed the month up over US$1.50 although the day before the initial phase of the 2012 Round of auctions it had been up over US$4.00.
Federico Renjifo was an Ecopetrol board member before he was appointed Minister of Mines and Energy at the beginning of September. He is still a board member as MinMinas but that opened his existing seat to another candidate. Ecopetrol has called a special general assembly for December 6, 2012. So far the only agenda item is election of the missing board member and the company proposes Jorge Pinzón Sánchez of the law firm Opebsa.
2025, Hydrocarbons Colombia, All Rights Reserved.
