News and AnalysIs for

Controversy over ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) project in Cesár has brought unconventional technologies back into the press limelight and the balance has not been positive.

The government has compiled proposals from the ‘no’ proponents into 57 different items and is now discussing them with the Farc. Head negotiator Humberto de la Calle said that the discussion in Havana has been difficult, but denied rumors that the Farc had left the table.

From a security perspective, October was essentially the same as September. Better, actually, in terms of total counts but that was only because the Armed Forces recorded 2 fewer incidents.

Among the proposals sent to the National Planning Department (DNP) as part of the royalty budget discussion by the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) is a mechanism to penalize communities whose frequent protests paralyze the oil industry.

This week talks between the ELN guerrilla and the government were scheduled to start, even though they depend on the release of former congressman Odín Sánchez Montes de Oca. The two negotiating teams have been officially named.

In a week of big headlines, including the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Juan Manuel Santos, we highlight another substantial development: the peace talks with the ELN guerrilla will start on October 27^th in Ecuador.

Following the announcement of a formal start to peace talks with the ELN guerilla, the Vice Minister of Mines and Energy Carlos Andrés Cante said this is a particularly good development for the oil and mining industries.

The uncertainty following the win of the “no” vote in Sunday’s plebiscite is still as deep as ever. There have been several developments though: a march in favor of peace, a rare Uribe/Santos meeting and a deadline for the ceasefire in the very near future.

We have changed to a monthly graph since counts have dropped so much that we are only reporting that frequently. Today, it looks like counts will stay low for a few months anyway.

There have been eight consecutive months with production below the coveted million barrels a day mark. While the fall in oil prices is a principal factor, it is just one of the reasons for this fall from grace, which has left its mark on public finances.