(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 27.Jul.2018) – The South American country needs to boost investments from an projected $4.5 billion in 2018 to a level of $7 billion over the next four years in order to maintain oil production and also increase proven reserves.
The investments are needed in order for Colombia’s oil sector to continue to play a leading role in terms of national finance contributions, reported the daily newspaper El Tiempo.
Additionally, conditions must be met to produce a sustained upturn in investment in exploration and production activities, which will assist the country maintain its current production level of some 860,000 barrels per day, reported the daily, citing Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) President Francisco José Lloreda.
The increased investments will also allow Colombia to increase its proven crude oil reserves — which amounted to 1.782 billion barrels in 2017 — by an additional 2 billion barrels, and sustain revenues to guarantee macroeconomic stability and meet the goals of the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework.
Lloreda estimates that between 2018 and 2022 that the hydrocarbon sector could generate around 100 trillion pesos in tax revenues for the country through contractual economic rights, dividends and royalties, which would leverage initiatives to continue generating progress and improve the quality of life of Colombians.
***