We have been concerned for some time that the general labor relations situation was deteriorating in the country. The first strike in twenty years at coal producer Cerrejon for us was a wake-up call that the situation was widening beyond the usual suspects (Ecopetrol, Oxy and subcontractors). Now the USO will participate in the “First Mining and Energy Encounter” next month with the goal to coordinate labor action against multinational companies in the sector.
This was not a light week for security incidents – some of them more horrific than we have become accustomed to in the past six months. But these were in Cauca department where, apart from a few technical evaluation blocks in very specific areas, there is little going on in oil and gas. Our counts were nearly even with last week at 33.
Statistical snapshots can be misleading – those with only one rig active might have just released several or have several ready to be activated in March – but the big numbers are probably stable. It is no surprise that Ecopetrol should be the largest but perhaps surprising that Pacific Rubiales should be so close. It is perhaps surprising that Gran Tierra has so few or that Canacol is not on the list (it is the operator for five exploration blocks and three production blocks). For those surprised to see coal operator Drummond on the list, it has permits for Coal Bed Methane exploration.
The government and the Farc were supposed to resume their discussions in Havana on Tuesday but the meetings were put off until the third week of April. The Farc were thus unconstrained by the need to stick to the agreed agenda and so issued a disturbing joint statement with their sometimes allies / sometimes enemies the ELN. The government team urged everyone to calm down about Farc statements made outside the negotiating table.
As reported by Dinero, Ricardo Arias Mora, president of the National Savings Fund (FNA), announced that the entity will join with several oil companies to facilitate homeownership for some 9,000 oil workers in the fields Rubiales, Quifa and Pirirí in Puerto Gaitan, Meta department.
The French oil giant Total has had an important investment in Colombia. But its recently published 2012 Annual Report shows that commitment is dwindling and is now quite minor. Having sold its long-time interest in Cuisana to Emerald last October, it is left with participation in exploration block in Niscota and a small piece of the Ocensa pipeline. What would be its next move?
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