Wholesale distributors highlight measures to normalize the supply of aviation fuel and propose solutions

Regarding the aviation fuel supply situation Jet A1 in the country, exacerbated by the technical failure suffered by the Cartagena Refinery on August 16, the Colombian Association of Oil and Gas (ACP), an association that groups wholesale liquid fuel distribution companies, highlights the coordinated work among the different actors to seek solutions and normalize supply and emphasizes:

1. The call for a Unified Command Post (PMU) by the Ministry of Mines and Energy on August 25, with the participation of other agents in the aviation fuel distribution chain, the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aeronautics, Ecopetrol, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the airlines.
2. The announcement by Ecopetrol today of operational and technical measures to ensure supply to the various airports, through: increases in production, an increase in the quantity and frequency of dispatches from the two refineries, and anticipation of scheduled product deliveries, among others.
3. The daily work of wholesale distributors with airlines, the national government, and competent entities to minimize the impacts of the situation, which continues to deploy efforts to contribute to the solution. As a result, distribution at airports in the north of the country and Bogotá would normalize this week.
4. From the industry, we highlight the actions taken to address the current situation and emphasize the need to adopt structural measures for the country's supply in a scenario of growing demand (6% annually) and tightness in supply, for which, to avoid future contingencies, we propose:

• Enable Jet A for turbine use in Colombia.
• Facilitate that aviation fuel imports be carried out by third parties, for the proper recognition of associated costs.
• Strengthen the supply planning mechanism of Jet.
• Promote the timely expansion of pipeline transport infrastructure of Jet and the development of strategic storage.

Finally, from the industry, we continue to work collaboratively to ensure supply and reiterate the commitment of wholesale distribution companies to maintain normal supply at airports; for this, in the short term, in September and subsequent months, we consider it necessary to keep the PMU active, with the purpose of facilitating timely actions by the agents in the chain.