News and AnalysIs for

The coffee-growers strike has inspired the truck-drivers’ union to declare a strike and block key north-south routes. Colombia’s refinery capacity is all in the north and yet there is significant population and demand in the south. The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), has coordinated fuel transportation alternatives supported by the Colombian Air Force (FAC), to supply the regions that have been affected by road blocks in the south.

Ecopetrol has invested in the Ventures contest which encourages entrepreneurship and innovation. The contest spans a wide range of economic activities but Ecopetrol has chosen to invest in the Education and Culture component for the past two years. The connection with the oil and gas is secondary but the cause is worthy. From an Ecopetrol press release, translated and with commentary by Hydrocarbons Colombia.

This Ecopetrol press release details the company’s local procurement activities by region. Local procurement has become an issue because the communities in which oil and gas companies operate have lost line of sight to the benefits having hydrocarbons activity in the vicinity. The costs – like roads clogged with tanker trucks – are readily apparent but since the reform of the royalties distribution system, only local procurement is a sure route to jobs. Translated and with commentary by Hydrocarbons Colombia.

Our Powerpoint presentation on the country’s hydrocarbons industry is a wealth of information for those starting out or needing a few facts.

Our Monthly Report for February 2013 is now available for download (see below).

As broadly reported, the government and the FARC achieved the first real progress in the peace talks. In this regard, alias “Ivan Marquez” said: “We finished this round of talks with progress, which speaks well of our desire for peace, despite the unfounded assertions of President Juan Manuel Santos,” adding: “We are building an agreement that now is approaching about five pages (…) never has a peace process advanced so much.”