Articles on fracking and unconventional oil and gas technologies in the Colombian press increased for the fourth week in a row. But this past week, the balance was positive.
With just a month in his role at the head of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas), Tomás González is rumored to be on the verge of announcing a restructuring of his team which will reportedly see the exit of the current Vice Minister Orlando Cabrales, who could head to Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC).
President Juan Manuel Santos announced changes to the process of applying for environmental licenses, slashing the time frame to five months, and critics have come out against the modification, arguing that it will weaken environmental protection measures and put the ecosystem at risk.
A request from Colombia’s largest supplier of tubing for the oil industry TuboCaribe to place safeguards and tariffs on some imported tubes has other suppliers and importers calling foul.
The Interior Ministry has signed a series of agreements with Putumayo residents, who have agreed to lift blockades and stop protests that have dogged the region for more than two months. The agreement followed a tentative accord two weeks ago.
The Colombian Association of Engineers (ACIEM) has contracted a study that looks at the hidden costs that are dragging down the potential of not just the hydrocarbons and energy sector, but infrastructure and telecommunications as well.
The National Authority of Environmental Licenses (ANLA) has named a new director, Fernando Iregui Mejía, a lawyer with experience in the public sector and environmental law.
The Chamber of Oil Goods and Services (Campetrol) has announced that the former Agricultural Minister Rubén Darío Lizarralde will take on a newly created executive president role as the organization looks to tackle an increasingly complicated scenario facing the industry.
A ruling of the State Council suspending a decree that allows the central government to overrule local governing bodies has brought the issue of public referenda against extractive activities back into the spotlight.
Colombia’s oil and gas sector is suffering from heightened pessimism among investors and lowered trust which could result in private firms abandoning plans or projects in Colombia if no change occurs said Lisa Viscidi, director for energy, climate change and extractive industries with Washington DC based Interamerican Dialogue.
2025, Hydrocarbons Colombia, All Rights Reserved.
