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The Government seeks to reactivate gas exploration and production in the country, so it has initiated the Transitional Plan for the Supply of Natural Gas. This includes seven projects that aim to strengthen gas infrastructure at a national level.

The Energy Mining Planning Unit (UPME) has updated its interim natural gas plan and warned that even though there are more years of natural gas reserves in the country than those of crude, this fuel has more worrisome consequences if supply becomes scarce. The UPME reinforced plans for importing.

An attempt by congressional members to place a tax on natural gas brought about a quick rejection from the Colombian Natural Gas Association (Naturgas). Lawmakers appear to have backed down, but it raises a number of questions as to the tax strategy for fossil fuels.

A port investment group (PIO SAS), is pushing forward to build Colombia’s second regasification plant called Puerto Solo, which would be located in Buenaventura, following the inauguration of Colombia’s first regasification plant Puerto Cayo in Cartagena.

The Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (CREG) recently organized an event to show its results during 2015 and 2016. HCC was present at the event; we bring a brief summary of the meeting.

The director of the Energy Mining Planning Unit (UPME) Jorge Valencia Marín said the entity has identified 12 projects, including a Pacific re-gasification plan, which will be needed to guarantee the supply of natural gas past 2021.

Another significant change in the leaders of Colombia’s industry associations occurred this week after the Colombian Association of Naturgas named industry veteran Orlando Cabrales as its new president, replacing Eduardo Pizano.

Government authorities inaugurated Colombia’s first regasification plant, El Cayao, in Cartagena, which is designed to be the backup for Colombia’s natural gas supply.

Members of both the senate and chamber of representatives are calling for answers from Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) on supply issues experienced across the country, and on an imminent cut of subsidies for the service which will affect low income users.

Canacol (TSX:CNE) announced significant increases in its contracted sales starting in December 2017 and December 2018, facilitated by new infrastructure.