Boston, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/18/2016 -- Colombia's energy sector is nearing an inflection point. While the past decade saw strong production growth due to improvements in the business and security environment, we caution the country will experience downward pressure on oil and gas production over the next decade. The tendency toward smaller finds, as well as continued pipeline attacks will decrease private investor interest in Colombia's resources. Further, sustained lower oil prices have threatened the development of upstream and downstream projects by national and international investors.

Latest Updates And Key Forecasts

Colombia narrowly met its 2015 oil production target of 1.0mn bbl per day (b/d), averaging 1.005mn b/d, a 1.8% increase versus 2014. The 2015 target had been reduced from 1.03mn b/d in June. Natural gas production averaged over 6.0% lower in 2015 reflecting the suspension of the Riohacha gas field in August.

Get More Details on this Report and a Full Table of Contents at Colombia Oil & Gas Report Q2 2016

Colombia's oil sector has reached a critical turning point as lower oil prices weaken upstream prospects. Although the government cut its own production target for the year to 944,000 barrels per day (b/d) on January 25, we believe there is growing risk output will underperform. Continued downside weakness in benchmark oil prices will render many existing projects uneconomic and undermine upstream development in 2016.

Following its credit downgrade on January 18, Ecopetrol announced a series of cost-cutting actions in February with hopes of saving USD471mn. These include the sale of non-core assets, a 10% reduction of its workforce and a freeze in operational expenditures at 50% of 2015 levels. This was followed by a USD300mn loan from Bancolombia on February 23.

The modernised Refineria de Cartagena SA (Reficar) is expected to reach full capacity in March 2016. This will add 85,000 b/d of downstream capacity which will service growing domestic demand over the next several years. Although reports surfaced in February regarding USD4.0bn in cost overruns, the increase in downstream capacity will support growing domestic demand.

On January 4, Venezuelan national oil company (NOC) PdVSA indefinitely postponed its plans to export natural gas to Colombia via the Antonio Ricaurte pipeline amid stronger domestic demands. This leaves Colombia's power mix reliant on alternative feedstock to service its growing power demands until LNG imports commence at the end of 2016.

The Colombia Oil & Gas Report has been researched at source and features BMI Research's independent forecasts for Colombia including major indicators for oil, gas and LNG, covering all major indicators including reserves, production, consumption, refining capacity, prices, export volumes and values. The report includes full analysis of industry trends and prospects, national and multinational companies and changes in the regulatory environment.

BMI's Colombia Oil & Gas Report provides professionals, consultancies, government departments, regulatory bodies and researchers with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on the Colombian oil and gas industry.

Key Benefits
Benchmark BMI's independent oil and gas industry forecasts for Colombia to test consensus views - a key input for successful budgeting and strategic business planning in the Colombian oil and gas market.
Target business opportunities and risks in the Colombian oil and gas sector through reviews of latest industry trends, regulatory changes and major deals, projects and investments in Colombia.
Assess the activities, strategy and market position of your competitors, partners and clients via our Company Profiles (inc. SWOTs, KPIs and latest activity) and Competitive Landscape Tables.

Coverage

BMI Industry View

Summary of BMI?s key forecasts and industry analysis, covering oil and gas reserves, supply, demand and refining, plus analysis of landmark company developments and key changes in the regulatory environment.

Industry SWOT Analysis

Analysis of the major Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats within the upstream and downstream sectors and within the broader political, economic and business environment.

BMI Industry Forecasts

Historic data series and forecasts to end-2024 for all key industry indicators, supported by explicit assumptions, plus analysis of key downside risks to the main forecast:
Pricing: Oil price (USD/bbl, WTI, Brent, OPEC basket, Urals); oil products prices (unleaded gasoline, gasoil/diesel, jet/kerosene ? USD/bbl) at global hubs.
Production, Consumption, Capacity & Reserves: Proven oil reserves (bn barrels), production, consumption, refinery capacity and throughputs (?000b/d); proven gas reserves (tcm), production and consumption (bcm) and fuels trade.

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