News and AnalysIs for

Carrying on from last week’s commentary, thoughts on the disconnect between Bogotá and the countryside. The memory of an old Star Trek TV episode merged with the ‘Athens of the Americas’ and the ANH’s ‘Territorial Strategy’.

Last week the Constitutional Court approved the government’s proposed referendum on the peace agreements with the Farc. The Colombian people still have their say, but the last legal hurdle has been surmounted.

We updated our Quick Colombian Committed Producers Share Price Index for 2Q16 and things are looking better.

I was invited to the recent launch of four academic reports on the Colombian countryside, commissioned by the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), coordinated and paid for by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP in English, PNUD in Spanish).

The historic signing of a ceasefire between the Farc and government of President Juan Manuel Santos has given a boost to public opinion on the peace process.

Forming a dialogue and advocating greater transparency among stake holders involved in the extraction of hydrocarbons is a needed but difficult task in the Colombian countryside.

We are learning from Hydrocarbons Mexico that when one company, especially the NOC, dominates completely the industry, the news is all about them.

I have to admit it’s getting better (Better) / A little better all the time (It can’t get no worse) – Lennon-McCartney

Last week Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) announced its long-anticipated ‘Ronda 2016’, putting 100% of the NOC’s participation in 20 areas up for sale (bundled into 17 so-called opportunities).

Agree or disagree with the peace process, Thursday’s signing of a bilateral ceasefire is a watershed point in Colombian history.