Ecopetrol issued a statement on Monday denying local media reports that it has instructed its subsidiary Hocol or any of its collaborators to proceed with processes related to regasification projects.
The company stated that it is conducting market surveys to assess the availability, technical characteristics, and feasibility of floating regasification plants.
Additionally, the location, size, technology, and selection or award mechanism have not been defined.
Ecopetrol noted that it is directly leading the process, with the support of international expert firms.
“Any decision regarding the eventual award of the regasification service in the Caribbean will be made in strict accordance with company procedures and will be subject to approval by the relevant corporate bodies,” the company said.
Options in La Guajira and Covenas are being considered as the best location for a future regasification plant.
“Ecopetrol continues in the process for the necessary permits and regulatory requirements to evaluate the integration of solutions such as LNG Ballena, LNG Covenas, and the Pacific regasification plant into its businesses, based on their technical, commercial, and regulatory viability,” the company said.
PIO SAS
In March this year, Ecopetrol signed a deal with compatriot PIO SAS for regasification infrastructure on the Colombian Pacific coast.
Ecopetrol said at the time this new regasification alternative on the Colombian Pacific coast will provide new sources of supply to meet the demand for gas in Colombia, prior to the launch of offshore projects.
The infrastructure will have a regasification capacity of 60 million cubic feet per day.
Ecopetrol said on Monday that it expects the infrastructure to start operations in August of 2026, offering receipt and storage services in Buenaventura and regasification in Buga, Valle del Cauca.
New regasification units
In the first half of 2025, Ecopetrol launched a non-binding request for information process with the aim of receiving proposals for new regasification units and evaluating their possible location, mainly in areas such as Ballena (La Guajira) and Covenas (Sucre), the firm said.
In the market survey, 42 mainly international companies expressed interest, and 20 companies responded to the questionnaire and submitted their proposals, according to Ecopetrol.
To date, no additional solutions have been contracted beyond those already awarded in the Pacific, the company said.
