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Colombia oil output closing in on 800,000 bpd, regulator head says

Colombia's typical everyday oil output is surrounding 800,000 barrels each day (bpd) even as the Andean country progressively aims to enhance eco-friendly energies, the president of the National Hydrocarbons Association ( ANH) regulator said

The government of leftist President Gustavo Petro has said. it wishes to wean Colombia off of its dependence on oil and coal in favor of solar, wind, and geothermal energy, though numerous renewable energy tasks are dealing with significant obstacles.

The boost to Colombia's oil output from 777,000 bpd last year originates from much better management of existing oil and gas agreements, ANH President Orlando Velandia said late on Tuesday.

Our objective this year is to very rapidly reach near 800,000 bpd, Velandia said, including the figure might almost be reached in May.

Ecological licensing hold-ups and the country's. long-running conflict have actually led to the suspension of some 30. hydrocarbon agreements, Velandia stated.

In the last 3 months we have actually managed to alleviate issues. that would have produced at least 10 extra suspensions,. he stated.

Petro's government has actually not held any new oil and gas. licensing rounds.

Signing more agreements is no guarantee of increasing. resources, Velandia said, including sometimes financial investments never ever. appear.

Why do not the investments emerge? Because,. regrettably, we have actually discovered some cases of speculation with. these agreements, he stated.

The ANH will examine existing agreements to secure down on. business which are not satisfying contracts, Velandia stated.

We're going contract by agreement to see where there really. are excellent factors to suspend these activities and where there. aren't, to state possible non-compliance due to negligence,. he stated.

Market critics have said no brand-new licensing might impact. energy self-sufficiency, but Velandia indicated oil and gas. reserves of about 5 to 8 years. Stats for reserves. as of the end of 2023 will be launched today, he added.

Colombia is set to hold its first-ever offshore wind. auction, which majority state-owned energy business Ecopetrol. could join.

At least 5 companies have shown interest in bidding,. Velandia said, while others have approached the regulator to. demand details.

A substantial number of companies have actually shown their interest. considering that the opening of the procedure and that makes us extremely. positive, Velandia stated.

(source: Reuters)