LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

Energy ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

February 28, 2025

Will Ecopetrol Sell its Fracking Project in Texas?

Colombian President Gustavo Petro wants to cancel a joint venture between state-run Ecopetrol and Occidental Petroleum in Texas’ Permian Basin. A shale drilling site in Texas is pictured. // File Photo: FreezeFrames via Adobe Stock.

Q

A

Tanya George, oil and gas analyst for Colombia, and Ashkan Khayami, country risk analyst for Colombia, both at BMI: “Ecopetrol is unlikely to divest its stake in the Permian Basin, mainly due to the negative financial consequences such a move would entail. Despite President Petro’s push for a sale, Ecopetrol has recently extended its operational contract in the Permian, which includes a detailed drilling plan for 34 wells and a partnership with Occidental Petroleum lasting through 2027. Violating these contracts could lead to financially costly penalties, further complicating a potential sale. Historically, Ecopetrol has resisted policies from Petro that clash with its strategies, as evidenced by the company’s stance against the exploration ban. The financial stakes of selling its Permian interests are considerable…”

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ABOUT THE Energy ADVISOR

A sister publication of the Inter-American Dialogue’s daily Latin America Advisor, the weekly Energy Advisor captures fresh analysis from business leaders and government officials on the most important developments in oil and gas, biofuels, the power sector, renewables, new technologies, and the policy debates shaping the future of energy in the Western Hemisphere and beyond. To subscribe or for more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.

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202.463.2920
gkuleta@thedialogue.org

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board of advisors

Nigel Blackaby
Global Head, International Arbitration Group,
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Jimena Blanco
Chief Analyst,
Verisk Maplecroft

María José Cortés
Head of ESG,
Atlas Renewable Energy

Jeffrey Davidow
Senior Counselor,
The Cohen Group

Analia Gonzalez
Leader, Arbitration & Litigation,
Laitn America, BakerHostetler

Jonathan C. Hamilton
Partner,
White & Case

Raul Herrera
Partner, Corporate &
Securities Practice,
Arnold & Porter

James R. Jones
Chairman,
Monarch Global Strategies

Jorge Kamine
Partner, Corporate &
Financial Services,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher

Craig A. Kelly
Senior Director,
Int’l Government Relations,
Exxon Mobil

Jeremy Martin
Director,
Energy Program,
Institute of the Americas

Larry Pascal
Chairman, Americas
Practice Group,
Haynes & Boone

R. Kirk Sherr
President,
Clearview Strategy Group

Daniela Stevens
Director,
Energy Transition and Climate Program,
Inter-American Dialogue

Doris Rodríguez
Partner,
Hunton Andrews Kurth

Alexandra Valderrama
Director,
International Government
Affairs, Chevron

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