News and AnalysIs for

Just as Colombia’s National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA) was about to issue a decision on granting an environmental license for one of Ecopetrol’s most significant offshore hydrocarbon exploration projects, a new obstacle emerged from the Ministry of Environment (MinAmbiente).

In response to looming concerns over a potential natural gas deficit in Colombia by 2025, the government is preparing to introduce a new regulatory framework to enhance the availability of natural gas in the market.

Domestic gas production continues to fall. Apart from a miniscule increase in April, it has declined every month so far this year and June 2024 was 9% lower than June 2023.

In a recent motion of censure debate, Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), Andrés Camacho, firmly rejected the possibility of importing gas from Venezuela. This stance contrasts sharply with earlier statements made by Ecopetrol’s president, Ricardo Roa, who had hinted at the potential for such imports.

Colombia is bracing for a significant natural gas deficit in the coming years, starting as early as 2025. According to a report from Rystad Energy, local production will not suffice to cover the anticipated shortfall in the short term.

The Colombian natural gas sector faces uncertainty regarding future prices and supply.

The Colombian Natural Gas Association (Naturgas) highlighted a potential shortfall in the country’s natural gas supply for 2025 and 2026, based on data from the Natural Gas Market Manager. Ecopetrol (NYSE: EC) responded quickly to this allegation.

Amid rising concerns over a potential gas shortage in Colombia, Camilo Sánchez, president of Andesco, issued a pressing call to take the necessary measures to secure the country’s energy supply.

The gas market manager for Colombia, the Bolsa Mercantil, recently published its latest summary of producers “declarations” of production potential for the coming years. It is not a pretty sight but then, this graph rarely is.

Colombia is grappling with an impending natural gas shortage, with industry experts warning that the country must bolster its gas reserves to meet future demand. Both the Colombian Natural Gas Association (Naturgas) and the Colombian Petroleum and Gas Association (ACP) have repeatedly emphasized the urgency of this issue.