Frontera Energy Corporation, Ecopetrol, Hocol, Tecpetrol and Cepsa, oil companies that operate in Puerto Gaitán (Meta department), express their deep concern about the serious social and economic consequences resulting from the blockage of the road that connects Puerto Gaitán to the village of Rubiales. This blockade has already lasted for 7 days and affects the inhabitants of the Meta department and businesses.
Impacts of blocking
The blockade has a negative impact on more than 5332 workers of the sector and their families, not to mention those of other productive activities, violating their rights to work and mobility, illegally preventing them from entering and leaving their workplaces. The social and economic impacts are enormous, as the protesters deny food and supplies, as well as the fuel needed to run businesses. As a result, the companies were forced to suspend production of 49,500 barrels of oil per day.
The blockage of the Puerto Gaitán to Rubiales road also affects the loading of the Cartagena and Barrancabermeja refineries, which endangers the supply of liquid fuels in Colombia and other export countries.
Industry Commitment
The oil industry stands in solidarity with the people of the region and respects their right to protest. However, it rejects the illegal ways and invites the community, the departmental and local authorities, as well as the national government, to seek joint solutions to lift the blockage and reach agreements that put forward the welfare of the department.
Frontera Operational Update
Frontera has reached its on-site storage capacity in the Quifa and CPE-6 blocks and has temporarily shut-in approximately 11,500 boe/d of net production. The company has also proactively suspended all construction and drilling activities in the area until further notice. Frontera’s priority is the health and safety of its employees, contractors and communities, and the protection of the environment. The company is actively engaged in discussions to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
