Colombia total production was down 4mbd sequentially. Now that some of the major players have reported, the winners and losers are becoming clearer.
The oil industry is interested in continuing to invest in Colombia, but three principal factors – licensing, attacks and blockades — are making an already complex process even more difficult and threatens the economic potential that the industry could generate, says the president of the Colombian Petroleum Association Alejandro Martinez.
Fuel prices dropped in May as the Ministry of Mines and Energy adjusts its formula to set them, while the issue continues to gain traction on different fronts.
Accusations that oil production is destroying local water resources continued to make their way, while a number of oil industry institutions have embarked on campaigns to counter the idea, which is being used to advance the agenda of those opposed to oil. These and other environmental stories from local media.
In a joint session of economic commissions from both Colombia’s Senate and House, the Finance Minister Mauricio Cárdenas presented four new changes to the General Royalty System that look to give it access to other sources of funds in case royalties from mining and energy production taper off.
The National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) and the Marine and Coastal Research Institute (INVEMAR) have launched the third voyage of a study of the marine life in the Guajira Offshore 3 (GUA OFF 3) block in the Colombian Caribbean.
The Minister of Mines and Energy Amylkar Acosta confirmed that at least three supermajor oil producers –ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM), Petrobras (NYSE:PBR) and BG Group (LSE:BG.L)- will participate in the Colombia 2014 Round.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy sent its two highest ranking officials to discuss transportation infrastructure at a recent conference held by Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) transportation spin off Cenit. They announced a new regulatory structure and looked to reaffirm MinMinas commitments to large, strategic infrastructure projects.
The director of the National Hydrocarbons Agency Javier Betancourt says that the exploration and production contract for the VSM-13 block, located along the Las Ceibas river will not go forward and that Pacific Rubiales (TSX:PRE), who holds the contract through an acquired subsidy Alange Energy, wants to end the concession.
Colombia’ lower house held a debate on the progress of the Barrancabermeja Refinery, which the local mayor says is close to getting an official start after prolonged delays. The matter will be brought up in an Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) board meeting in June.