“More and more Colombians are aware of the importance of the oil and gas industry for the country”: ACP

The Colombian Association of Oil and Gas highlights the advances in the positive perception of Colombians regarding the oil and gas industry both in the producing regions and in the country; as was revealed in the presentation of the Oil Barometer 2021.

• The 60% of the inhabitants of the producing regions believes that if this industry were to disappear, the impact on the regions would be severe.
• Knowledge regarding the real environmental impacts of the industry continues to improve.
• The advances are the result of the education carried out by the industry; however, there are still many challenges and opportunities.

According to the survey results, the percentage of inhabitants of the producing regions who believe that the oil and gas industry is positive for their municipality increased from 72% in 2020 to 75% in 2021. At the national level, 75% of Colombians consider the oil industry to be positive, and 86% perceive the gas industry as positive. Source: Barómetro Petrolero 2021 by Jaime Arteaga y Asociados and the National Consulting Center

Furthermore, it reflects that if companies in the sector stopped operating in the regions, the local economy would be in worse conditions, as stated by 60% of the respondents, compared to 52% recorded in 2019. Similarly, 67% recognize that this industry generates development and economic opportunities for the communities where it operates, while in 2019 it was 62%. And 55% agree that exploration, production, and transportation activities of oil and gas should take place in their municipality, compared to 42% reported in 2019.

For the executive president of the ACP, Francisco José Lloreda Mera, “it is a great advance to see how more and more Colombians are aware of the importance of the hydrocarbons sector for the country, as well as the greater awareness that exists about the real environmental impacts of the industry, and how it is compatible with other productive activities, such as tourism and agriculture.”.

In 2019, 58% of Colombians agreed that oil activity could coexist with other economic activities; now 69% believe it is feasible. Regarding the impact on the environment, it is highlighted how the percentage of those who consider that the oil and gas sector is the one that most affects the environment has decreased from 48% to 26% between 2019 and 2021.

Regarding the perception of fracking, the survey revealed that there is still caution regarding the technique. In this regard, the industry believes that the pilot projects being carried out in Santander are the best way to address the concerns and worries of Colombians.

“The advances presented are the result of a great educational effort that we have been making in the regions and in the country; however, we know that there are still challenges and we must do much more to continue raising awareness of the importance of this sector for economic and social reactivation, and energy diversification, due to the resources and opportunities it generates,” concluded the President of the ACP.