ACP as a source of information
Source: Portafolio – National
Date: September 10
Headline: ‘Fracking regulations are rigorous’
Francisco José Lloreda, president of the ACP, and Orlando Cabrales of Naturgas, insist on pilot projects for unconventional reservoirs. The current regulations governing the development of Unconventional Reservoirs (YNC) through the fracking technique in Colombia are “excessively rigorous and environmentally sustainable.” This statement is from Francisco José Lloreda Mera, president of the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) and Orlando Cabrales Segovia, president of the Colombian Natural Gas Association (Naturgas), who in a dialogue with Portafolio emphasized that pilot projects would help clear up all doubts regarding the YNC. Responded in: portafolio.co (September 09).
Source: El País – Regional
Date: September 10
Headline: The debate over fracking does not stop
While some unions and entrepreneurs argue that the decision made by the Council of State regarding the exploration of Unconventional Reservoirs in Colombia is at stake for the country's fiscal stability and energy security, other groups argue that what is at stake is environmental sustainability. (…) Calculations from the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) indicate that the use of the technique would represent an opportunity for Colombia to generate fiscal revenues of $1.5 trillion annually in taxes, contractual economic rights, dividends, and royalties. Responded in: elpais.com.co (September 09).
Source: El Heraldo – Regional
Date: September 10
Headline: Council of State resumes decision on fracking regulation
If the precautionary measure is lifted, the pilots can be carried out. The Council of State will revisit today the decision on the appeal filed by the national government regarding the suspension of the regulations for the application of fracking in Colombia. (…) For his part, the president of the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP), Francisco Lloreda, recalled that the debate on fracking began 10 years ago in Colombia and to date, the exploratory phase has not been able to take place. “This explains that of the 12 companies with knowledge and experience in fracking, which showed interest in the country a decade ago, only three remain. The others have withdrawn,” he pointed out. Responded in: elheraldo.co (September 10).
Source: El Pilón – Regional
Date: September 10
Headline: Twitter
At Drummond, we do not perform fracking. We develop methane gas associated with coal, with traditional hydraulic stimulation in vertical wells, similar to that used in the country for more than 50 years. @ ACP_Colombia @BrujulaMinera @MinMinas @ANHColombia Drummond Colombia @DrummondLtdCo
Source: La Libertad – Regional
Author: José David Name
Date: September 10
Headline: Fracking with responsibility and oversight
For several years, there has been a discussion in the country about whether or not to use the fracking technique or hydraulic fracturing for the extraction of gas and oil from the subsoil; the two diametrically opposed positions in this discussion have made it a long debate in which the community has been left in the middle and with unfounded fears. (…) Experts estimate that by implementing the fracking technique, hydrocarbon reserves could increase up to five times. According to the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP), hydraulic fracturing would represent for Colombia the opportunity to generate fiscal revenues of $1.5 trillion annually in taxes, contractual economic rights, dividends, and royalties. Responded in: diariolalibertad.com (September 10).
Source: Blu Radio – National
Date: September 10
Source: Radio Nacional de Colombia – Regional
Date: September 10
Headline: Expectation for the decision of the Council of State to continue with the regulation of fracking in the country. According to the president of the Colombian Petroleum Association, Francisco Lloreda, the fracking debate began 10 years ago in Colombia and to date, the exploratory phase has not been able to start. Min. 0:52 Responded in: National Radio of Colombia (September 10)
Source: El País – Regional
Date: September 09
Headline: Expectation for decision on fracking
The decision that the Council of State is set to make this week on whether or not to allow the exploration of Unconventional Reservoirs in Colombia, using the fracking technique, will be definitive for the fiscal sustainability and energy security of the country, according to industry groups and experts. Colombia currently has oil reserves for 6.2 years and gas for 9.8 years, and if they are not increased, the country would be forced to import these hydrocarbons. Estimates from the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) indicate that if the country had to import crude oil to supply the refineries, it would represent an approximate cost of $30 trillion per year, which added to $20 trillion per year that would stop coming in due to not exporting oil, would create a fiscal gap of $50 trillion per year for the Nation. Replicated in: elpais.com.co (September 09).
Source: laopinion.com.co – Regional
Date: September 09
Headline: Fracking: what is at stake in the Council of State
This Monday there will be a hearing for the magistrates to continue gathering information that may help them determine yes or no to fracking. The Council of State is aware of two specific processes regarding fracking in Colombia. Although both legal actions were filed at the same time and by the same person, Esteban Lagos González, each case is taking a different course. (…) The determination to temporarily cease the practice was in the hands of magistrate Ramiro Pazos, who, with this decision, halted the environmental licensing processes granted by the National Environmental Licensing Agency (ANLA) and the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) to oil entities to advance with this mechanism. (…) The Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) analyzed the benefits that the development of Unconventional Reservoirs (YNC) would bring to the country, where it was evident that the use of the fracking technique would represent an opportunity for Colombia to generate fiscal revenues of 1.5 trillion pesos annually in taxes, contractual economic rights, dividends, and royalties.
Source: vanguardia.com – Regional
Date: September 09
Headline: Fracking: what is at stake in the Council of State
The Council of State is aware of two specific processes regarding fracking in Colombia. Although both legal actions were filed at the same time and by the same person, Esteban Lagos González, each case is taking a different course. The first of these is the nullity lawsuit against decree 3004 of 2013, which establishes that the Ministry of Mines and Energy must issue technical standards and procedures regarding well integrity in which hydrocarbons can be explored. (…) The Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) analyzed the benefits that the development of Unconventional Reservoirs (YNC) would bring to the country, where it was evident that the use of the fracking technique would represent an opportunity for Colombia to generate fiscal revenues of 1.5 trillion pesos annually in taxes, contractual economic rights, dividends, and royalties.
Source: paisminero.com – National
Date: September 09
Headline: National expectation for the Council of State's ruling on ‘fracking’
The decision that the Council of State is set to make this week on whether to allow the exploration of Unconventional Reservoirs in Colombia, using the fracking technique, will be definitive for the fiscal sustainability and energy security of the country, according to industry groups and experts. Colombia currently has oil reserves for 6.2 years and gas for 9.8 years, and if they are not increased, the country would be forced to import these hydrocarbons. Estimates from the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) indicate that if the country had to import crude oil to supply the refineries, it would represent an approximate cost of $30 trillion per year, which added to $20 trillion per year that would no longer come in from not exporting oil, would create a fiscal gap of $50 trillion per year for the Nation.
Hydrocarbons Sector
Source: La República
Date: September 10
Headline: For Naturgas, there are demanding rules for fracking
The president of the Colombian Natural Gas Association (Naturgas), Orlando Cabrales, believes that everything is ready for the country to continue advancing in the first pilot research projects. Although he says that the concerns are “clearly identified” in the current regulations, he warns that there is very “demanding” regulation, which opens the door for all these processes to occur in a responsible and efficient manner. (…) What is needed to achieve that social license? What is the call to the entire country? Attention should be paid to what Minenergía is doing. And they should scrutinize Anla and ANH regarding the granting of authorizations for the exploitation phase. It has been attempted to position in the media that the pilots can already be carried out, but they have not yet seen the recommendations from the Expert Commission.
Source: La República
Date: September 10
Headline: Evaluating changes in debt payment to obtain resources in the budget
With the aim of covering the shortfall of more than $2 trillion that the energy and gas subsidies currently have in the 2020 Budget, congress members continue to explore various possibilities with different government members that would allow them to secure these resources for the next period. Additionally, the Minister of Finance, Alberto Carrasquilla, announced yesterday that a rollover of the debt will be carried out to guarantee the resources. (…) One of those possible lifelines, as commented yesterday by Conservative Party senator David Barguil, could be to defer the debt service. “We want the amount to remain at $271 trillion; however, we will seek to redistribute resources among the different sectors to increase the budget for Mines and Energy and thus cover the subsidies,” indicated the congressman, who is part of the Budget debate in which the amount of $271 trillion is expected to be approved today.
Source: El Nuevo Siglo
Date: September 10
Headline: Drummond defends operations in Caporo field Valencia Pinzón
The multinational Drummond Energy defended the operations it is currently developing in the Caporo field. The company states that “regarding a motion for alleged contempt for the Caporo field, which is currently operated by Drummond Energy under the La Loma Contract, in the center of the Department of Cesar, the company informs that in 2004 it signed the Exploration and Production Contract to develop hydrocarbons in general, including gas from coal deposits” (…) The company assures that “this environmental license for the production of Caporo was approved in 2016. During 2017 and the first half of 2018, 15 wells in the Caporo field were drilled. Since then, Drummond Energy has produced gas from the coal deposits in this field. It is important to highlight that these wells were drilled vertically and intervened with a traditional hydraulic stimulation technique, similar to what has been used in the country for over 50 years, in fields such as Cusiana, Cupiagua, and Apiay, among others.”.
Source: Vanguardia Liberal
Date: September 10
Headline: In limbo, fracking projects in Santander
It is expected that today the full chamber of the third section of the Council of State will decide whether or not to lift the precautionary measure that suspended in November the processing of nine Unconventional Hydrocarbon Projects, YNC, in the country, better known as fracking. The determination of the Council of State would respond to a plea filed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, headed by María Fernanda Suárez. The nine active contracts signed by the National Hydrocarbons Agency, ANH, but suspended by the Court for the exploration of YNC are located in the departments of Santander (3), Cesar, Guajira, and Antioquia.
Source: diariolalibertad.com
Date: September 10
Headline: Today, the Council of State decides whether or not to endorse fracking projects in Colombia
It is expected that today, Tuesday, the full chamber of the third section of the Council of State will decide whether or not to lift the precautionary measure that suspended in November the processing of nine Unconventional Hydrocarbon Projects, YNC, in the country, better known as fracking. The determination of the Council of State would respond to a plea filed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, headed by María Fernanda Suárez. The nine active contracts signed by the National Hydrocarbons Agency, ANH, but suspended by the Court for the exploration of YNC are located in the departments of Santander (3), Cesar, Guajira, and Antioquia.
Source: El Meridiano de Córdoba
Date: September 09
Headline: ‘Fracking’, in the hands of the Council of State
Exploitation projects for unconventional deposits and wells through the controversial method of «fracking,» which is used to extract gas and oil through hydraulic fracturing of the subsurface, are in the hands of the Council of State. (…) For its part, the Ministry of Mines and Energy submitted a plea to the Council of State to lift that suspension. In order to make its decision, that court requested the support of a commission, different from the one formed by the Government, from the National University. The two positions Fracking has sparked one of the most intense debates in Colombia. On one side of the scale are environmentalists who say that this method threatens water, aquifers, and the ecological and environmental surroundings.
Source: eltiempo.com
Date: September 09
Headline: Armed individuals prevent cleaning of oil-contaminated river in Catatumbo
Armed men intercepted Ecopetrol workers and stole a company vehicle. A technical team from Ecopetrol, consisting of 30 workers, was threatened on Sunday by armed men while carrying out a cleaning operation on the Tibú River, which was contaminated over the weekend by an oil spill. The company activated its contingency plan to control the spread of the hydrocarbon stain, caused by a leak of oil that occurred near the Caño Limón-Coveñas pipeline. (…) “These events prevented the technical personnel from reaching the control points and the loads with equipment that are part of the contingency plan,” Ecopetrol reported. The oil company reported these violent events, which hindered cleaning efforts and intervention on this watercourse.
Source: elnuevosiglo.com.co
Date: September 09
Headline: They highlight the potential of Magdalena Medio in hydrocarbons
According to sample analysis, the availability of both gaseous and liquid fuels was detected. In the rock formation known as Umir, located in the jurisdiction of the department of Santander and adjacent to the municipality of Barrancabermeja, a high potential for the production of both gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons was detected. These were the findings of Elkin Mauricio Arboleda Muñoz, a master's degree holder in Engineering-Mineral Resources from the National University of Colombia (UNAL) Medellín Campus, who carried out the analysis of outcrop samples (surface rocks) –such as coals, carbonaceous shales, and limestones– in order to determine their potential to generate hydrocarbons in the Medio Magdalena basin.
Source: sostenibilidad.semana.com
Date: September 09
Headline: Are they doing fracking in Colombia?
The Podion Corporation and the Colombia Free of Fracking Alliance filed a contempt incident for the apparent non-compliance of the Government with the precautionary measure issued by the Council of State. According to the organizations, this practice could be taking place in the country. In the evidence hearing that will take place this Monday at the Council of State, within the framework of the lawsuit filed by the Litigation and Public Interest Group against the Ministry of Mines and Energy, (…) For Orduz, the ministries of Mines and Environment, the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), and the National Environmental Licensing Authority (Anla) are aware that this company has been using the hydraulic fracturing technique and, therefore, have been disregarding the decision issued by the High Court and allowing Drummond's projects to continue advancing without the regulatory framework that permits these operations.
Source: kienyke.com
Date: September 09
Headline: Environmental tragedy due to oil spill in the Tibú river
In the department of Norte de Santander, specifically in the Catatumbo area, an attack on the Caño Limón – Coveñas pipeline affected the Tibú river with an oil spill at kilometer 364, in the jurisdiction of the Campo Seis village. In response to this emergency, Ecopetrol activated a contingency plan with the installation of a series of barriers. This is to control the spill and prevent it from moving downstream. (…) However, Ecopetrol indicated that armed men ambushed the personnel and stole the equipment and the vehicle in which they were traveling. (…) Due to the seriousness of the matter, entities such as the Regional Autonomous Corporation of the Northeastern Frontier (Corponor) and the Ministry of Environment are on-site to mitigate the environmental damage.
Regional News
Source: Manantial Stereo
Date: September 09
Headline: Alliance with Equión and the ARN will train reintegrated individuals as tourist guides
Source: tiempodenoticias.com.co
Date: September 09
Headline: Decree for the issuance of residence certificates in oil areas socialized in Barranca de Upía
This weekend, the presidents of the Community Action Boards (JAC) of the municipality of Barranca de Upía socialized decree 1158 of 2019, which modifies the criteria for the issuance of the residence certificate in the areas of influence of oil exploration and exploitation projects and mining. The activity was carried out by delegates from the Community Action and Citizen Participation Management of Meta, with the support of the Ministry of the Interior, the Hydrocarbons Territorial Entity, the National Hydrocarbons Agency, and the Mines and Energy Secretariat of the department, with the participation of the Mayor's Office of Barranca de Upía.
Source: diariodecasanare.com
Date: September 09
Headline: Equión mourns the death of community leader
Equión Energía mourns the passing of community leader Flor Ángela Cruz Ascencio, former president of the Community Action Board of the El Progreso village in the El Morro district, and sister of the current community president Reynaldo Cruz. The company expresses sincere and fraternal condolences and solidarity to her family, friends, neighbors, and the community of the village and, in general, of the district. Equión joins the mourning caused by the loss of the social leader, with whom the company, in the framework of its relationship, had the honor of working for the benefit of the community under her communal leadership.
Colombian Association of Oil and Gas