David Riaño assumed the role of president of Colombia’s main gas transporter TGI around a week ago, and has now announced an investment plan of US$200M to invest in three strategic projects that will expand the company’s capacity.
Colombia’s main gas transporter TGI has moved Riaño Alarcón into the role of president, drawing on his experience with the firm as regulation manager as the firm looks to adapt to a new regulatory framework for gas.
A kind of class action lawsuit, or “Popular Action” has been verified Casanare Administration Tribunal after a public hearing late last week, in which Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) has been required to install a valve for its natural gas line to the Agauazul municipality.
Pacific Rubiales (TSX:PRE) and Belgian sea shipping logistics firm have signed an agreement to move forward with a natural gas liquefaction barge that could develop new markets for PRE and Colombia’s gas business.
While authorities say all is well, some industry players say that the increase in demand for natural gas –some 57.2% between 2009-2014- is already creating shortfalls in supply that could lead to rationing.
The number of natural gas vehicles (NGV) has reached half a million according to government figures, and fuel service giant Terpel says its distribution network is now sufficient to continue growing the market.
Most of the debate surrounding fracking and unconventional production has centered on the extraction of crude, but the Colombian Association of Natural Gas (Naturgas) Eduardo Pizano says its just as important for the future of the gas industry as well.
The outgoing director of the Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (CREG) Carlos Fernando Eraso says that the new regulatory framework in place for the natural gas industry means that companies have no impediment to investment in the sector.
Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) is considering building an additional regasification plant in order to protect against supply deficits that could affect the country starting in 2018.
GasIndustry and government projections for Colombia’s gas reserves oscillate between worried and optimistic, with supplies lasting for 6 or 14 years, depending on the source.