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As many media reported, MinTransporte Cecilia Álvarez asked the oil companies to move their pipelines that currently hinder infrastructure projects development. Alvarez said that in the case of Pacific Rubiales, it is important to reach an agreement for the company to move its pipelines in the sector I of the Ruta del Sol.

Colombia lacks transport infrastructure of all kinds from roads to railways to ports. Railways are long-term projects so roads will have to carry the freight for several years. The country ranks last in the region for having four-lane highways so there is a desperate need for many investments. It looks like the next phase may actually be getting off the ground, at least in terms of tendering. From a MinTransporte press release, translated and with commentary by Hydrocarbons Colombia.

We are interested in infrastructure – especially high capacity infrastructure like rail – because, for all of the country’s positive attributes, Colombian transport infrastructure can only be described in words that are inappropriate for a public forum like this website. This particular railway – the Carare railroad – will start central Boyacá, go to Barrancabermeja and then follow the Magdalena River valley to the coast. That makes it important for transport to Bogotá and important for the hydrocarbons industry if unconventional extraction ever gets off the ground. From a MinMinas press release, translated and with commentary by Hydrocarbons Colombia.

As reported by newspaper Portafolio, a delegation of UK Export Finance, the United Kingdom’s Export Credit Agency, visited Colombia in order to explore possible investments in the country in the areas of infrastructure, mining, oil and gas. The agency also provides financing services to Colombian companies that want to purchase equipment from British companies.

According Leónidas Narváez Morales, Invías CEO, as told to W Radio, US$40.5M will be allocated for the tertiary road network of the Antioquia, Norte de Santander, Cundinamarca and Santander departments. The disbursement needs permission of the National Planning Department (DNP).

National business newspaper Portafolio reports that the companies Abocol, Compas and Saam will partner to invest US$45M in the Buenavista Port of Cartagena. The port, which has a capacity of 8,000 metric tons of cargo, is currently under the administration of Puerto Buenavista SA. The investment will be used to expand the wharf of 211 meters long, to improve infrastructure and to provide it with equipment to improve its performance quality.

National business magazine Dinero reports that the Colombian State Council, a superior court for government issues, declared today that Ecopetrol must pay CoP$1B (US$568,000) for damages from a propane gas pipeline attack in 1991. The attack occurred in the section between Puerto Salgar and Facatativá, in the rural area of the municipality of Albán in Cundinamarca. The explosion and resulting fire from escaped propane damaged agricultural facilities and crops in the surrounding area.

The Territorial Development Finance company (Findeter) is an autonomous corporation reporting to Colombia’s Minister of Finance (MinHacienda). It can raise its own debt (which has a sovereign rating) and receives deposits from government agencies. It then lends this money to municipalities, departments (states) and other entities providing low-cost financing for infrastructure and development projects. The company recently announced its budget for next year. From a Findeter press release, translated and with commentary by Hydrocarbons Colombia.

The Government established a public-private partnership with the Carare Railroad Development Corporation (Corpocarare) and metallurgical coal producer Minas Paz del Río. The route runs through the Central Cordillera where non-conventional hydrocarbons blocks are defined and a few have been assigned.

National business newspaper Portafolio reports that the study “System of cities” of the World Bank and Colombia’s National Planning Department revealed the underdevelopment of the country’s road system. According to the study, apart from the usual traffic jams in cities, there is a notable lack of connectivity between them. In addition, the study states that “if Colombia had the quality of infrastructure of Costa Rica, economic growth could be up to 3 percent higher.”