(Energy Analytics Institute, 31.Oct.2024) — Colombia’s state-owned Ecopetrol S.A. said the Santa Marta Tribunal issued a favorable decision regarding an appeal against the claim (acción de tutela) filed by the Indigenous Council of Taganga.
This new ruling allows Ecopetrol and its Brazilian counterpart Petrobras, via its Colombian affiliate Petrobras International Braspetro B.V., to retake drilling operations and carry out their operational activities in the Tayrona exploratory drilling area, Ecopetrol announced 31 Oct. 2024 in an official statement.
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The Tayrona offshore region is vital to Colombia’s energy security, the Bogota-based oil giant said the statement.
The Tribunal’s decision partially overturned the ruling of the Fourth Labor Court of the Santa Marta Circuit which had ordered the suspension of exploration and production works in the “Tayrona exploratory drilling area at the Uchuva 2 well,” Ecopetrol said in the statement.
Additionally, the Tribunal ordered the Ministry of the Interior – Directorate of the National Authority for Prior Consultation (DANCP) to assess the necessity of a prior consultation process with the indigenous community (which had been previously ordered by Fourth Labor Court of the Santa Marta Circuit), within one month from the date of notification of the Tribunal’s decision, Ecopetrol said.
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By Piero Stewart. © Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
