Colombian oil revival hopes face electoral test
An upcoming election and auction round will help determine the country's oil fortunes
The outcome of Colombia's election next week is being watched closely as the country attempts to reverse its sliding oil fortunes, which have suffered since the downturn started in late 2014. Colombians will head to the polls to choose a successor to Juan Manuel Santos on 27 May for the first-round vote, with a run-off likely on 17 June. The most critical issues that the industry will want the next president to address include fiscal terms, clashes with local communities over drilling projects, and ongoing attacks from the ELN rebel group on energy infrastructure. The price rout was brutal on Colombia, which saw investment and production wither. Oil output hit a highwater mark of 1.03m barre
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
