Inauguration of the Rural Aqueduct in Pita Limón in San Martín, Cesar

ConocoPhillips Colombia recently inaugurated the Veredal Aqueduct of the Pita Limón district located in the municipality of San Martín, Cesar, which will provide clean water to the inhabitants of that community for the coming years.

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ConocoPhillips Colombia executed this project within the terms and conditions of the Community Benefit Programs-PBC, corresponding to Phase 1 of the E&P Contract YNC in block VMM3 signed with the National Hydrocarbons Agency. The execution of this project is aligned with ConocoPhillips' corporate responsibility policies aimed at promoting sustainable development in the areas of influence and seeking integration with the community.

The Veredal Aqueduct was agreed upon with the Pita Limón community, a district identified as an area of influence in the Environmental Impact Study and the Conventional Environmental License in the VMM3 Exploratory Drilling Area. The residents identified water as a critical aspect in their community, thus generating the project for improvements to the aqueduct, with the company working jointly with the San Martín Mayor's Office and the National Hydrocarbons Agency, which approved, monitored, and supervised the project. Finally, the Veredal Aqueduct was fully adapted and improved by ConocoPhillips Colombia.

The project included the maintenance of the existing water well and the drilling of a new water well to a depth of 100 meters. The adaptation and maintenance of the Water Treatment System were also carried out, which could benefit the inhabitants of the populated center.

“Water is essential for communities. Providing clean water in our area of influence allows us to demonstrate through actions that our impact is positive, applying our values of being a good neighbor and operator,” said Alex Martínez, General Manager, ConocoPhillips Colombia.

For their part, community members have expressed their satisfaction with the contribution made by the company, “The well turned out very well, it improved a lot and now everything is in better condition, this was a very positive change, it is observed that the connections and lighting of the place greatly help the facilities and allow us to see the conditions of the wells much better,” said Freddy Guerra, a resident of Pita Limón.

Likewise, the National Hydrocarbons Agency highlighted the importance of these types of projects and the collaboration between companies and the State, “We want to emphasize that ConocoPhillips Colombia was diligent in the process and always worked hand in hand with the State, followed the recommendations made by the ANH at all times during the project, and reported on the execution of the PBC at each of its stages. For us, this project has a high impact on the quality of life of the benefiting community, water is a vital resource and now Pita Limón has access to quality water,” said Juan Camilo Florez, Socio-Environmental Monitoring Professional, ANH.

This project is an example that the presence of oil companies in the country can generate benefits for communities, especially when working with the State for the common benefit of the communities “this work will allow the general population of Pita Limón to obtain a better water resource.

This is a tripartite achievement, the municipality, our company, and the community. We hope that, through the maintenance of the Water Treatment Plant, this can be sustainable for their benefit today and for future generations,” concluded José Salazar, Environmental and Social Advisor of ConocoPhillips Colombia.