Local governments in Norte de Santander, Meta and Putumayo are all interested in building smaller regional refineries that they say would make them more competitive, avoid importing fuel and create new jobs.
Casanare and industry representatives met to discuss the state of a transportation agreement and found positive results, while in Meta the government will invest to pave a stretch of road leading to the Rubiales Field. These and other stories in our periodic roundup of road-related issues.
The general manager of the Barrancabermeja Refinery shot back at critics saying that the project has not been frozen nor canceled, but still awaits definitions from the Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) board of directors.
Gas distributor Gases de Occidente says that it is rolling out an expansion plan that includes small loans to its end customers and a potential natural gas pipeline to Buenaventura.
Oil pipelines could become a crucial element in today’s price scenario as companies, will be forced to find ways to lower their operational costs, something which pipelines could offer with greater efficiency than tankers.
The Impala river port in Barranquilla could be as ready as early as the end of January, as the company says it has met its obligations with the local community and even exceeded them. But a lower water level on the Magdalena River could be an issue as the port gets started.
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 and Hocol have paved stretchs of highway in Meta and Casanare, while in Yopal the local government is requiring escorts for heavy vehicles to reduce accidents. Pacific Rubiales (TSX:PRE) and community members avoided a blockade after police intervened in Casanare. These and other stories in our periodic coverage of road issues related to the oil industry.
Ecopetrol’s (NYSE:EC) transportation spin off Cenit will not move forward with plans to develop the second and third stage of the Bicentennial Pipeline as the company must cut its budget for large projects in the wake of the falling price of oil.
The Ministry of Transportation and national police have announced restrictions of heavy vehicles on 44 different highways in Cudinamarca, Tolima, Santander, Quindío and Meta during December and the holiday season.
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