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While in charge of Petrominerales (TSX:PMG), Jack Scott would tell everyone from humble scribes like ourselves to Canadian ambassadors to Colombian government ministers of the importance of agile licensing for maintaining production. Now on the threshold of a sale to Pacific Rubiales (TSX:PRE), PMG reports the first increase in production in nearly three years.

Colombian Foreign Minister, María Ángela Holguín and her Venezuelan counterpart Elías Jaua signed a memorandum of understanding in the name of the NOC of each country, Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) and PDVSA, to connect oil pipelines at the border.

More details emerged on the acquisition deal for Pacific Rubiales (TSX:PRE) to take over Petrominerales (TSX:PMG), as the companies published the information hours before the securities regulator Superfianciera ordered them to do so in a press statement.

The mayor’s office of Yopal has scheduled a meeting with 10 area village leaders to discuss roadway needs in areas close to oil production sites in the municipality.

Casanare congressional representative Camilo Andrés Abril has called on figures in the central government to a debate on the impact of oil production in the department, alleging that very few operators are keeping promises with the local community and environment and that the government is doing little about it.

As part of a new strategy to increase consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) has announced a subsidy pilot program in low income communities.

Following a high level cabinet meeting with Ecopetrol lawyers, the government says that the recent Constitutional Court ruling only affects how it finances the Price Stabilization Fund, not the ability of the executive branch to fix fuel prices at the pump.

Casanare’s local paper published a succinct editorial offering a word of caution for residents and a warning for politicians: The boon days of oil royalties are gone so you had better be careful how the money is spent.

The recently appointed director of the National Planning Department (DNP) Tatyana Orozco defended the General Royalty System against recent criticism, saying that they are responsible for “works materializing in all of the regions”.

The General Controller of Colombia is the latest authority to criticize the General Royalty System (SGR), saying to local press that the funds are not being dispersed as they should be and that it lacked a proper transition phase.