Latest News

Colombia, Ecuador locked in trade dispute as pipeline tariff jumps 900%

By The City Paper Staff - January 27, 2026

Ecuador has sharply increased tariffs on Colombian crude oil transported through its pipeline system, deepening a trade and energy dispute between the two Andean neighbours that has already disrupted electricity exports and bilateral commerce. Ecuador said on Tuesday it had raised the tariff paid by Colombia for each barrel of oil transported through the state-owned […]

Democracy Deferred: Did Washington Abandon María Corina Machado?

By Richard Emblin - January 5, 2026

The extraction of Nicolás Maduro on Saturday was meant to signal the end of an era. Instead, it has exposed an uncomfortable truth that may loom over Washington weeks and months after the “shock-and-awe” attacks in central Caracas have waned from headlines: was Venezuela’s democratic opposition sidelined at the very moment it appeared closest to […]

Colombian Army confirms ELN behind oil pipeline attack in Arauca

By Richard Emblin - August 27, 2024

The Colombian Army confirmed that the ELN guerrilla perpetrated a major attack against the Caño Limon-Coveñas oil pipeline in Arauca, raising fears of escalating violence in the department and large urban centers, including Bogotá.

Is Putin pushing Venezuela’s Maduro to war with Guyana?

By Martin Holland - December 6, 2023

A geopolitical storm is brewing, propelled by Venezuela’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro. The disputed Essequibo territory, a longstanding flashpoint between Venezuela and Guyana, now has two proxies: Russia and Colombia.

Colombia’s Ecopetrol anticipates production rise in 2023 as profits dive

By The City Paper Staff - November 8, 2023

Colombia’s Ecopetrol anticipates a boost in oil production for 2023 despite a sharp drop of near 47% in net profits. The energy giant is looking to diversify its alternative, low-emissions portfolio.

Colombia’s Petro to meet Maduro again as PDVSA scandal widens

By Richard Emblin - March 23, 2023

President Gustavo Petro’s fourth visit to Venezuela to meet his counterpart Nicolás Maduro comes as the neighboring country is engulfed in a widening corruption scandal with the state-owned PDVSA.

Low water levels near the Guatape hydroelectric plan

Is Colombia on the brink of an energy crisis?

By Richard Emblin - September 14, 2022

Heated debates in Congress over Colombia’s energy future and government intervention in the oil and gas sector has raised the spectre of a looming crisis.

Petro to end three of Colombia’s “venoms”

By Richard Emblin - May 17, 2022

After promising to halt oil production in Colombia if elected president, candidate Gustavo Petro also warned of a possible end to coal exports given that the fuel is “worse than cocaine.”

OXY to leave mainland Colombia to develop country’s offshore oil reserves

By The City Paper Staff - October 5, 2020

After 40 years in Colombia, “OXY” announced the sale of all its mainland assets to develop the country’s offshore oil and gas potential.

Colombia’s peso under pressure from Turkey’s Lira and U.S oil surplus

By Taylor Lennox - August 16, 2018

International trade tensions and Turkey’s Lira crisis is hurting the Colombia peso at a time in which the new government of Iván Duque needs oil revenue and currency reserves.

Colombian peso recovers as price of Brent crude rises

By Richard Emblin - February 5, 2018

The scaling back of output levels in Russia and Venezuela has turned the tide on low oil prices. But will Colombia capitalize on Brent’s sudden rise?

World oil prices: A crude bargain

By The Mark News - June 16, 2016

Why oil will stay below $60 per barrel for at least the next decade.

Reficar

Colombia seeks answers after oil refinery runs $4 billion over budget

By Ed Buckley - February 10, 2016

A laundry list of problems plagued the Reficar oil refinery modernization, causing more than $4 billion in cost overruns and years of delays.

All about oil

By Richard Emblin - December 10, 2014

?How vulnerable is Colombia to the current oil glut? This nation may have to find creative ways of balancing the budget in 2015.

Creative Commons

A critical time for oil

By Richard Emblin - October 15, 2014

A global oil glut is sending prices tumbling. As an oil producing nation, Colombia must drum up its cash reserves.

Shale tracking well in central Alberta.

Shaking from induced quakes

By The Mark News - September 7, 2014

The disposal of waste fluids produced by fracking in deep injection wells can, in some cases, induce earthquakes on nearby faults.