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The union referred to Ecopetrol’s (NYSE:EC) management decision to suspend contracts in the department.

Last week there was a minor flurry about an American thinktank putting Colombia on a list of ‘risky’ spots for petroleum investments. Timely, considering our article tying to quantify ‘risk’ which was really quantifying ‘impact’. I think it was overdone, but it still got me thinking about what risks are the most relevant.

Local authorities, the police and the president of the Colombian Association of Petroleum Engineers (Acipet), Julio Cesar Vera, spoke about the situation in Meta; 14 days after the protests began.

The CEO of Ecopetrol’s (NYSE: EC) subsidiary, Alberto Consuegra, said that even though better oil prices bring positive expectations for 2018, the industry will have to overcome important challenges to leverage the new opportunities.

The union spoke about the violent acts that took place at Ecopetrol’s (NYSE:EC) fields in Meta, and questioned the NOC’s decisions.

Social problems in the department of Meta have shut-in important oil blocks for the country. Local and national authorities met to find a solution to this problem as soon as possible.

Social unrest has increased substantially in different oil fields. Some companies have reported blockades and attacks against their infrastructure and workers, and USO spoke about the situation.

Ecopetrol (NYSE: ECP) is facing a difficult situation in southern Meta as a result of social protests. The hooded protestors say they want more local contracting and the company responded to these demands.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) spoke about its alliance with the Colombian office of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), to improve the industry-communities relationship.

Social conflict directed against the oil industry in Colombia is causing headaches this year. Parex Resources Ltda (TSX: PXT) reported problems in one of its blocks in the department of Casanare.