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Ecopetrol has not given any reason for its request its hydrocarbon reserves and remain energy
for temporary suspension of the two projects, independent by unlocking 9bn barrels of oil
but a source close to the matter told Reuters equivalent (boe) in new reserves. The South
that the company might be motivated by con- American country’s conventional crude oil and
cerns over the potential passage of anti-fracking natural gas reserves are declining and will only
legislation. last for another 7.6 years at the current rate of
“The suspension looks to open a waiting production. ™
space while the future of the pilots is defined,”
the source commented.
Subsequently, ANH revealed that the request
was under review by its legal department, as well
as by Colombia’s energy ministry.
While the campaign against fracking has
been gaining momentum, Columbia’s highest
court in July ruled against the petitioners in a
lawsuit filed in the hope of nullifying fracking
rules.
In its decision, the court also gave a green
light to the Kale and Platero contracts.
Upon being inaugurated as president, how-
ever, Petro pledged to bar fracking and shift
Colombia towards renewable energy sources.
Additionally, his administration has since
backed a new bill drawn up by an anti-fracking
coalition with the intent of banning the practice.
(This is the fourth motion of its kind submitted
to Colombia’s Parliament.)
While such legislative initiatives have proved
unsuccessful in the past, activists are increas-
ingly optimistic about this bill’s fate. They believe
the anti-fracking campaign has better chances of
success now in light of the support provided by
Petro’s administration.
According to advocates of fracking, this
drilling technique could help Colombia boost Colombian courts have green-lighted work at Kale and Platero (Images: Ecopetrol)

Ecopetrol increases capacity of

Reficar refinery to 200,000 bpd

COLOMBIA’S national oil company (NOC) on, but I can’t confirm the units” involved in the
Ecopetrol has boosted throughput at its refinery programme, he told S&P Global Platts.
in Cartagena and is preparing to expand capac- Meanwhile, a representative of Ecopetrol
ity even further, a source with knowledge of the noted that Reficar had brought its old crude
matter informed S&P Global Platts earlier this distillation unit (CDU) back online earlier this
week. month and was working to resolve all outstand-
According to the source, who was not ing questions about the facility and about the
named, the Reficar plant usually processes quality of the fuel produced there. Neverthe-
around 150,000 barrels per day of crude oil, “or less, this move should help bring the refinery’s
165,000 [bpd] at maximum capacity.” throughput up to 210,000 bpd in the near future,
Now, though, the plant’s throughput has been he said.
increased to 200,000 bpd, and Ecopetrol is set to “It now is running,” he commented. “We are
add another 80,000 bpd in processing capacity, still working out quality [issues].”
he said. The Ecopetrol rep, who was not named, was
The source did not say how long the NOC referring to Reficar’s reputation among com-
would need to complete the second phase of modity traders as a source of petroleum prod-
expansion work or how it would secure the ucts that were either inconsistent in quality or
additional 80,000 bpd of processing capacity. unable to meet the emissions standards set by
“As always, there are some maintenances going Western countries.

Week 38 21•September•2022 www. NEWSBASE .com P7