Colombia's fracking plans take on a new urgency
The new administration is turning to shale deposits to hold back the threat of imports
The Colombian government's controversial plans to expand advanced fracking, while keeping a focus on robust environmental regulation, are entering a new phase. Ecopetrol, the state-owned oil firm, applied for an environmental license on 29 October to begin a pilot fracking project in the central Magdalena Medio region. Fracking was a highly controversial subject in the lead-up to Colombia's presidential vote in June. Iván Duque, now president, favoured the strategy of using advanced fracking with environmental controls, while the leftist candidate Gustavo Petro supported greater investment in renewables. Ecopetrol's application will likely re-awaken the debate. The shift comes as Colombia de
Also in this section
19 March 2026
The regional crisis highlights the undervalued role of fixed pipelines in the age of tanker flexibility
18 March 2026
Rising LNG exports and AI-driven power demand have raised concerns that US gas prices could climb sharply, but analysts say abundant shale supply and continued productivity gains should keep Henry Hub within a range that preserves the competitiveness of US LNG
18 March 2026
Risks of shortages in oil products may cause world leaders to panic and make mistakes instead of letting the market do what it does best
17 March 2026
The crisis in the Middle East has put LNG’s ability to offer security and flexibility under uncomfortable scrutiny
