ACP as a source of information
Source: La República – National
Date: February 19
Headline: «All options must be considered for the country to be self-sufficient»
Felipe Bayón was the Businessman of the Year in 2019. He was not only the most well-known among the nominees (69.71%), but he also had the highest average favorability (4.04 out of 5) and, in total, received 521 votes from the 200 executives surveyed, with the company's businesses being the most recognized. Bayón indicated that his hallmark in the company is “getting out of the truck,” being humble, and approaching communities. (…) Speaking of all options, is fracking needed? As the Government has proposed in the comprehensive research pilot projects, it is the way through science that allows us to conduct research in the country to determine if it is a resource we want to develop. (…) The contrasts. Francisco Lloreda President of the ACP “This evidences the management of those who are part of this industry and work daily to advance a sector that works to guarantee the energy that Colombia needs.”. Responded in: larepublica.co (February 19).
Source: La República – National
Date: February 19
Headline: The businesses that moved the oil sector
Last year, milestones such as Ecopetrol's arrival in the Permian stood out; Frontera Energy drilled 129 wells, and at the beginning of 2020, Geopark acquired Amerisur. The balance for the hydrocarbon industry was positive in 2019. Oil production registered a growth of 2.41%, increasing from an average of 865,127 barrels per day in 2018 to 885,851 barrels per day at the end of 2019, (…) The outlook for the industry in 2020 according to the Oil Association. For this year, the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) projects that crude oil production will be around 890,000 barrels per day, approximately 11% above last year's figure, and that the average marketed gas production will be close to 1,090 million cubic feet per day. Regarding investments by companies in the sector, the ACP projects that in 2020 an investment of US$4.970 billion will be recorded, 231% higher than that of 2019. Responded in: larepublica.co (February 19).
Source: llanoalmundo.com – Regional
Date: February 18
Exchanging information and establishing a work agenda between the Mayor's Office of Puerto Gaitán and the hydrocarbon sector was the reason for the meeting attended by the Secretary of Mines and Energy of Meta, Arnulfo Cruz, who also defines actions that strengthen the Departmental Development Plan of the ‘Government at the Service of the People.’ Topics related to local labor, dialogues with indigenous communities, and social investment for compliance with the social responsibility of the oil sector were some of the issues addressed in this session, which included the local leader, Jorge Plazas, councilors, delegates from the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP), and executives from Ecopetrol, among others.
GREMIO
Source: La República
Date: February 19
Headline: There are US$300 million for gas exploration this year
The Colombian Natural Gas Association (Naturgas) announced the industry's balance at the end of last year and the investment projections for 2020. The guild detailed that, after reaching 9.9 million users and more than 600,000 vehicles converted to this fuel, companies are already focusing efforts to continue reactivating the exploration of new gas fields in the country. (…) Ecopetrol, for example, will advance in the evaluation and development of offshore gas discoveries, with investments of US$76 million. This plan is joined by Hocol, which aims to consolidate itself in the natural gas business with new projects this year. (…) Shell, together with Noble Energy, already has an alliance to explore and produce blocks COL-3 and GUA OFF-3. “For this last part, the National Hydrocarbons Agency estimates investments of US$100 million.” Canacol, for its part, has already put US$114 million on the table, according to its investment plan for this year. Of this total, US$70 million will be allocated to the drilling of exploration wells, advanced and development of 3D seismic programs.
Source: La República
Date: February 19
Headline: #BusinessmanOfTheYear
In the 17th edition of Entrepreneur of the Year, LR awarded the distinction to Felipe Bayón Pardo, president of Ecopetrol, for the results that the company achieved until September of last year, when it reached profits of $9.4 trillion. (…) Its alliance with Occidental Petroleum Corp. which generated revenues of US$1,500 million, to develop exploration and production of unconventional fields in the United States, positioned them alongside major oil companies worldwide. (…) Other key businesses for the company's development are gas and its offshore discoveries; as well as the development of technology to begin the execution of fracking pilots that will ensure the country's energy self-sufficiency for several more years. The management of ‘La Iguana’ is not limited to its actions from last year, as this 2020 started with major projects such as its alliance with Shell to develop the Kronos, Purple Angel, and Gorgon wells in the Colombian Caribbean.
Source: La República
Date: February 19
Headline: The biennium of reactivation in exploration and production
The natural gas producing industry has been reactivated. In 2019, production reached an average of 1,068 million cubic feet per day (Mpcd), which represents an increase of 9.4% compared to the previous year. In the case of Ecopetrol, production, as of the third quarter of 2019, was 582 MPCD. (…) For its part, Canacol reported that its production last year was 146 MPCD, and announced an investment plan for 2020 of US$114 million, of which more than US$70 million will be allocated to the drilling of exploration wells, advanced and development of 3D seismic programs. Meanwhile, Frontera Energy achieved a production of 6.2 MPCD last year and plans to invest between 325 and 375 million dollars in 2020, of which 90% will be in Colombia, including resources for gas projects. (…) Additionally, Shell announced together with Noble Energy an alliance to explore and produce blocks COL-3 and GUA OFF-3. For this last part, the National Hydrocarbons Agency estimates investments of US $100 million.
Source: La República
Date: February 19
Headline: Companies investing in solar panels
Many organizations are opting to invest in solar panels, either to take advantage of solar radiation or to save on their consumption and contribute to the care of the planet. (…) Other companies that have joined alternative energies include the Alliance between Bioversity International and CIAT with 8,028 solar panels; the National Chocolate Company, with 8,000 modules; and Ecopetrol in its solar megapark that has 54,500 panels. (…) Solar Megapark in Castilla La Nueva, Meta. Ecopetrol inaugurated last year the solar megapark in Castilla La Nueva, Meta, the largest center for photovoltaic energy self-generation ever built in the country. It covers an area of 18 hectares where more than 54,500 panels of the highest technology are located.
Source: La República
Date: February 19
Headline: Ecopetrol will eliminate routine gas flaring in fields
The state oil company Ecopetrol recently joined the World Bank (WB) initiative called “Zero Routine Flaring by 2030,” which aims to eliminate routine gas flaring in oil and gas fields as soon as possible, and no later than 2030. The company's adherence to ‘Zero Routine Flaring by 2030’ is aligned with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 of the United Nations (UN) on climate action. Additionally, it reaffirms Ecopetrol's commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 and to continue implementing its decarbonization plan. The company highlighted this through a statement.
Source: La República
Date: February 19
Headline: Trump sanctions Venezuela with a blockade on the Russian Rosneft subsidiary
The government of U.S. President Donald Trump tightened financial restrictions on Venezuela, blacklisting a subsidiary of the Russian oil company Rosneft, which U.S. officials say provides a lifeline to President Nicolás Maduro. In a move that increased pressure on Russia, which Washington considers the main supporter of Maduro's government, the United States accused Rosneft Trading SA of having supported the Venezuelan oil sector and actively evaded U.S. sanctions.
Source: Portafolio
Date: February 19
Headline: Financial Plan: between reality and optimism. By: José Ignacio López
The Ministry of Finance recently presented the update of the Financial Plan for 2020. Being the roadmap on the country's fiscal situation and providing details on the government's sources of financing, this Plan is an indispensable element for the analysis of local financial markets. (…) The government projects that its fiscal deficit will be 2.21% of GDP in 2020, resulting from revenues of 16.71% of GDP and expenditures of 19.01% of GDP. The deficit target assumes revenues from the Bank of the Republic's profits of 7.2 trillion pesos, dividends from Ecopetrol for the State of 6.5 trillion, and disposals amounting to 6.2 trillion. On this last item, the source of the resources is not specified, but we believe it could be the result of the sale of some electricity companies.
Topics
Source: La República
Date: February 19
Headline: The dollar rose 1.32,11 and closed with an average price of 1.3.410,40
The dollar yesterday closed at an average price of 1.3.410,40 which represented an increase of 1.32,11, compared to the Representative Market Rate (TRM), which stood at 1.3.378,29. (…) Oil prices showed a slight increase yesterday. According to Reuters' closing, Brent crude rose eight cents to US1.57,75 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures, meanwhile, closed unchanged from the previous session at US1.52,05 per barrel. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied producers, including Russia, have been considering new production cuts to support prices.
Source: El Universal
Date: February 19
Headline: Compas options for offshore operations
The Associated Ports Company (Compas) presents its logistical bets for offshore operations in the Colombian Caribbean, in Tolú, Cartagena, and Barranquilla. The growing interest of the national and international oil industry in developing exploration and production operations of offshore blocks in the Colombian Caribbean motivated the Associated Ports Company (Compas) to offer four of its terminals as an alternative to support logistical activities in that sector. (…) The Compas Tolú terminal, located in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, is the closest to the offshore exploration operation that will concentrate off the coasts of the departments of Córdoba and Sucre in the Col5, Gran Fuerte, and Purple Angel blocks, among others.
Institutional
Source: El Tiempo
Date: February 19
Headline: The plot that led to the dismissal of the president of the ANH
Amid serious allegations that had been ongoing for several months, with a direct confrontation with the Minister of Mines and Energy, María Fernanda Suárez, and a tough political struggle as a backdrop, President Iván Duque declared the president of the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), Luis Miguel Morelli, insubsistent. The official's departure came after complaints intensified in mid-January, at the instigation of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, regarding issues related to clientelism, corruption, and the exercise of excessive power by a contractor of the entity, from the area of the Vice Presidency of Promotion and Assignment of Areas.
Source: El Tiempo
Date: February 19
Headline: More cracks are opening in Uribismo
The National Government's decision to declare the president of the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), Luis Miguel Morelli, as insubsistent left several congressmen from the Centro Democrático very upset, who even said that the party is not being treated well in the Government. One of the most forceful in questioning the decision was Senator José Obdulio Gaviria. «It is not common for an expert in oil issues, so abstruse and specialized, to also be a skilled politician with electoral successes. That is Dr. Morelli. Those virtues allowed him to promote an oil policy that benefits the country. The Minister of Mines had declared war on him and yesterday managed to decapitate him,» said the congressman.
Source: La República
Date: February 19
Headline: «Colombia advances in energy transition»
Thanks to the incorporation of renewable energies from non-conventional sources such as solar and wind into its generation matrix, plus low-emission energies like natural gas, Colombia is advancing in the energy transition. According to projections, by 2050 natural gas and electricity will reach 50% of the matrix. (…) That is why in 2019, through the Permanent Area Assignment Process led by the National Hydrocarbons Agency, we signed 31 contracts for exploration and production, of which there are continental deposits and five more are offshore with estimated investments of US$2.700 million. Of these, four contracts have gas prospectivity located in Magdalena-Bolívar (VIM 22), Magdalena-Cesar (VIM 33), Córdoba (SN 26), and La Guajira (GUA OFF 10), and five offshore contracts in the Colombian Caribbean with great gas potential, which were the first that the National Government signed after almost five years without assignments in the country.
Source: La República
Date: February 19
Headline: The troubles at the ANH will not stop the oil auctions
The departure of Luis Miguel Morelli from the presidency of the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), after being declared insubsistent by the Minister of Mines and Energy, María Fernanda Suárez, would not affect the holding of the two planned oil auctions for this year, as well as the consolidation of Liga B, the initiative with which small and medium-sized oil companies will enter the market. (…) “We received Morelli's departure with great sadness. We recognize that he has been a leader in the sector, and we hope that the person who will replace him continues this leadership. We believe that none of this will affect the imminent reactivation of the industry,” explained Carlos Leal, president of Acipet. (…) In fact, while at this moment the Deputy Minister of Mines, Carolina Hayes, has taken the reins of the ANH as in charge, the new director will have the objective of moving forward with the 50 new blocks expected to come to market this year.
Source: Portafolio
Date: February 19
Headline: After Morelli's departure, these are the pending tasks of the ANH
With the episode of Luis Miguel Morelli's departure from the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) in the background, the country's oil reactivation continues its course, and the new administration of the entity has four key tasks ahead for 2020. The list of pending tasks begins with the international promotion mission, followed by the two auctions of the Permanent Area Assignment Process (PPAA) and the ‘Liga B’, which allows hydrocarbon SMEs to participate in the aforementioned reactivation, and concludes with the unfreezing of US$500 million in investment. (…) The new regulation, in its articles, establishes the rules for the transfer of activities or exploration resources between contracts and/or agreements signed with the aforementioned entity. Thus, the ANH seeks to promote exploration tasks in the national territory and seek the incorporation of new reserves that can be produced in the short term.
Source: El Colombiano
Date: February 19
Headline: Government declares a change in the management of the ANH
By means of decree 230 issued on February 17, 2020, the National Government declared the director of the National Hydrocarbons Agency, Luis Miguel Morelli, as insubsistent. The text states that the new person in charge will be Carolina Rojas, Deputy Minister of Mines. The document was signed by President Iván Duque.
Source: Diario del Sur
Date: February 18
Headline: Fuel taxes increase
The National Tax and Customs Directorate (Dian), under the direction of Jorge Andrés Romero Tarazona, issued resolution 09 of 2020, which updates the taxable base of fuels in the national territory, effective immediately. The document stipulates that the national tax on regular gasoline is 546 pesos for this year, representing an increase of 20 pesos compared to the previous year, when the tax was 526 pesos.
Source: Caracol Radio
Date: February 18
Source: Caracol Radio
Date: February 18
Source: Caracol Radio
Date: February 18
Source: Caracol Radio
Date: February 18
Source: RCN Radio.
Date: February 18
Source: RCN Radio Bolívar
Date: February 18
Source: Caracol TV
Date: February 18
Source: RCN TV
Date: February 18
Source: eltiempo.com
Date: February 18
Headline: After allegations of clientelism, the president of the ANH is dismissed.
The president of the Republic, Iván Duque, through decree 230 of February 17, declared this Monday the insubsistence of the president of the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), Luis Miguel Morelli, who joined the entity in September 2018. The position was entrusted to the Deputy Minister of Mines, Carolina Rojas Hayes. According to EL TIEMPO, with knowledgeable sources on the matter, the official's departure comes after serious allegations of clientelism and corruption, as well as due to strong confrontations with the Minister of Mines and Energy, María Fernanda Suárez. (…) In addition, in this regard, among the allegations received and also known by EL TIEMPO, are the orders for environmental management plans for oil areas, a process in which companies that were to conduct the study were handpicked.
Source: eltiempo.com
Date: February 18
Headline: The woman who pulled the strings of the ANH, according to allegations.
Behind the declaration of insubsistence of the president of the National Hydrocarbons Agency, Luis Miguel Morelli, there were not only serious allegations of clientelism and corruption, which are already known to the control bodies, but also the growing power that began with Slendy Clavijo, a contractor of the entity. According to a document known by EL TIEMPO, which was sent on January 18 to the Minister of Mines and Energy, María Fernanda Suárez, on November 14 of last year, during the oil summit held at the Ágora convention center in Bogotá, around six in the evening, in one of the corridors of the oil exhibition, Morelli's wife, María Clara Avilán, had a confrontation with Clavijo, but an ANH official intervened without taking sides.
Source: larepublica.co
Date: February 18
Headline: Minister of Mines declares the president of the ANH, Luis Miguel Morelli, insubsistent.
After being appointed in September 2018 as president of the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), Luis Miguel Morelli was declared insubsistent as head of the entity. In the decree, signed by the Minister of Mines and Energy, María Fernanda Suárez, it is announced that, in his place, Carolina Mary Rojas Hayes will be in charge, while it is determined who will take the position permanently. Morelli is recognized for having been governor of Norte de Santander from 2003 to 2007, in addition to having belonged to the oil industry, as an executive of Ecopetrol, and to the hydrocarbons industry.
Source: lasillavacia.com
Date: February 18
Headline: After the scandal of overcosts in rentals, Duque removes the president of the ANH.
Yesterday afternoon, the president of the Republic Iván Duque, and the Minister of Mines and Energy, María Fernanda Suárez, signed this decree in which he declared the president of the National Hydrocarbons Agency, Luis Miguel Morelli, insubsistent. That is to say, he was removed from office. This is one of the most important positions in the mining-energy sector, because the Agency is the entity responsible for managing the country's oil contracts and has an annual budget of 640 billion pesos. (…) This is a sign that there is little trust in the current administration of the Agency because for several months, the Ministry of Mines and the same board of directors of the ANH have been receiving reports of corruption within the entity.
Source: caracol.com.co
Date: February 19
Headline: The case in the ANH is a wake-up call and alert to corrupt individuals: Angélica
The senator believes that the decision made by President Duque is a wake-up call to corrupt individuals, to avoid mixing public and personal matters. The senator from the Green Alliance, Angélica Lozano, considers that what happened with the president of the ANH is a clear example of when an official abuses power. Although she celebrates President Duque's decision, she believes that this case serves as a wake-up call or an alert to the corrupt who tend to mix personal matters with their public duties. She points out that there is a public “scramble” for a political position, due to the tweets made by Senator José Obdulio Gaviria regarding Morelli's departure from the ANH.
Source: caracol.com.co
Date: February 18
Headline: This is how Luis Miguel Morelli fell from the ANH
Morelli's departure, according to a document known by Caracol Radio, is related to alleged acts of corruption, clientelism, and also the poor relations with the Minister of Mines, María Fernanda Suárez, with whom he had not exchanged a word for more than 18 months. In a six-page letter sent to the Minister of Mines, María Fernanda Suárez, they detail point by point each of the irregularities committed by Mr. Morelli. The first issue brought to attention concerns the rental fee for the location where the ANH currently operates; initially, a value of $ 107 million was established monthly, and inexplicably they ended up paying a total of $ 198 million.
Source: wradio.com.co
Date: February 18
Headline: Why was Luis Miguel Morelli, president of the ANH, declared insubsistent?
Through decree 230 of February 17, President Iván Duque declared the insubsistence of the president of the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), Luis Miguel Morelli. Following Morelli's departure, who held the position since September 2018, the viceminister of Mines and Energy, Carolina Rojas, was put in charge of the ANH. Regarding the events that led to Morelli's departure from his position, La W learned from sources close to the Ministry of Mines and the ANH that these were not connected to the anonymous personal message about his management that was directed to the directives.
Source: lafm.com.co
Date: February 18
Headline: Government declares the director of the ANH, Luis Miguel Morelli, insubsistent
The government of President Iván Duque declared the position of Luis Miguel Morelli, director of the National Hydrocarbons Agency, ANH, insubsistent through decree 230 issued on February 17, 2020. The document, which was signed by the president and the Minister of Mines and Energy, María Fernanda Suárez, reveals that Carolina Rojas Hayes will take over that position. Although the details of the reasons are not known, a series of tensions between Morelli and the head of the mining portfolio have emerged.
Source: radionoticiascasanare.com
Date: February 18
The adaptation of deep wells that would operate with clean energy using solar panels would be the short-term project to mitigate the environmental emergency recorded in the North of the department, especially in the municipality of Paz de Ariporo, said Representative Jairo Cristancho. (…) The statement was made by the Representative at the end of the meeting with delegates from the Risk Management Unit, the National Environmental Licensing Agency (ANLA), the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), Corporinoquia, and the High Council for the Regions, where medium and short-term strategies were outlined to address the drought that Paz de Ariporo experiences at this time of year due to high temperatures, decreased water flows, and drought caused by climate change.
Source: agenciapi.co
Date: February 18
Headline: Background on the departure of the president of the ANH
The governing body of oil policy in Colombia, the National Hydrocarbons Agency, ANH, is left without leadership. President Iván Duque declared Luis Miguel Morelli's position as void. A week earlier, a document with compromising allegations circulated that the former official denied. Unprecedented details of the case. He was awarded «Man of the Year» in 2019 by The Oil & Gas Year. On Tuesday, February 2, a compromising complaint against Luis Miguel Morelli, president of the National Hydrocarbons Agency, ANH, was filed with the Ministry of Mines. (…) Another aspect highlighted in the document is that they apparently forced the oil company Mansarovar to pay some excess oil production in order to have cash flow to meet the lease payment, a matter that Morelli himself categorically denied.
Colombian Association of Oil and Gas