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The Minister of Mines and Energy Germán Arce warned that there is a potential that groups with interests in illicit activities have taken to industry blockades negotiate specific demands, and these should not be confused with traditional anti-oil protests.

The Colombian Chamber of Oil Goods and Services (Campetrol) performed a survey among its members and found that between January and May of 2016 blockades and strikes led to lost daily production of 9,000bd.

A forum took place at the Bogotá-based Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, jointly organized by Crudo Transparente and the Pensar Institute, with the aim of discussing the difficult relationship in Colombia between the population and the oil industry. We attended the kick off meeting and brought back this report.

Hydrocarbons Colombia was present at a Campetrol-organized conversation on the peace agreements. We brought back a brief overview of the talk.

The board of directors of the USO oil workers union said that problems in creating a dialogue with Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) have led it to convoke a general strike of the NOC’s direct and contract workers. The union claimed the strike is necessary to avoid the privatization of Ecopetrol.

The Finance Minister Mauricio Cárdenas said he has a “shock plan” ready for Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) which is designed to increase production by 25,000bd and improve the country’s macroeconomic benchmarks.

After a hearing ordered by the municipal council of Simacota, Santander, Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) and Parex Resources (TSX:PXT) have clarified that the participation agreement and nearby project does not involve any unconventional techniques like fracking

Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) said that more than 40,000bd of crude production is at risk due to striking coca farmers in Puerto Caicedo, Putumayo.

The final stretch is underway to close and approve via plebiscite the peace agreement reached between Farc and government negotiators. The date for the signing of the agreement and the critical plebiscite to pass it are now official as well.

Pending changes which will be announced by the Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (CREG) between October and November could mean lower biofuels rates, which has producers concerned.