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A constitutional reform stalls in the Senate, while the number of critics of the royalty system in Colombia’s congress grows, with a number of lawmakers taking a harsher tone against the national government. These and other royalty related stories in our periodic summary.

The Labor Ministry (MinTrabajo) has published a resolution that defines the list of municipalities where special requirements for local hiring will be implemented through a decree published in October.

After being pressed to comment on a proposed tax reform, the Minister of Mines and Energy Tomás González said the timing of the oil price drop coinciding with the tax reform discussions is “unfortunate”.

With oil prices continuing to fall and growing competition from Mexico for investment dollars, the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) says it will commission an economic study as part of a profound analysis of the sector and how to best promote Colombia as a destination for E&P projects.

Led by the Minister of Mines and Energy Tomás González and the Minister of Environment Gabriel Vallejo, the government defended potential fracking projects in Colombia against critics in Colombia’s lower house.

With the proposed tax reform inching closer to final approval in the congress, the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) has expressed its concern that the changes will drive away investment dollars and interest in Colombia for hydrocarbons investment.

The fracking debate had been quiet for nearly 2 months with articles dwindling down to nearly zero. Now things seem to be heating up again, ahead of a National Hydrocarbons Agency forum next week.

Colombia remains an attractive investment destination for international hydrocarbons firms says the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) Tomás González, who also touched on the role of oil in government finances and the balance of reserves to production.

Supporters of prior consultation processes held a debate in Colombia’s senate, questioning why ministers and the President Juan Manuel Santos himself have “demonized” the process as being solely a way for communities to take advantage of projects taking place near their borders.