(Reuters, 11.Nov.2020) — Colombia will hold a second bidding round to potentially grant contracts to companies interested in exploring non-conventional oil and gas deposits, using techniques like fracking, the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) said.
Majority state-owned oil company Ecopetrol, Exxonmobil, and Drummond already have contracts for investigative projects and may submit offers in this new round, as can other companies, the ANH said in a statement late on Tuesday.
Development of non-conventional energy deposits – including hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, for shale gas – is highly polarizing in Colombia and commercial development of such deposits is currently not permitted.
Each company can be awarded up to two contracts, the ANH said, and a maximum of four contracts will be granted.
“The purpose of the pilot projects is to acquire sufficient scientific information so a decision about the use of hydraulic fracturing can be made, to take advantage of the potential of non-conventional energy sources,” ANH president Armando Zamaro said.
Ecopetrol has already submitted a proposal which is under evaluation, the ANH said, and the schedule for the second round will be published shortly.
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Reporting by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Kirsten Donovan
