Ecopetrol and Petrobras Conclude $1 Billion Caribbean Gas Exploration

Colombia's Ecopetrol and Brazil's Petrobras have wrapped up their largest-ever natural gas exploration campaign in the deep waters of the Colombian Caribbean, marking the culmination of a $1 billion investment. The two-and-a-half-year initiative saw the drilling of five exploration wells, all completed without any accidents or operational incidents, according to Ecopetrol.

Petrobras led the project with a 44.4% stake, while Ecopetrol held the remaining 55.6%. The campaign was part of an exploration contract with Colombia's National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH). The effort significantly expanded the companies' knowledge of the region's offshore gas potential and required extensive logistical coordination.

Over 1,000 helicopter flights transported more than 16,000 passengers, while vessels moved 147,600 tons of cargo and 45 million liters of fuel. The program has already yielded results, with a new natural gas discovery confirmed on August 3 in the same offshore region as major discoveries like Sirius and Copoazú.

The companies have increasingly focused on Colombia's offshore Caribbean to develop new domestic natural gas resources. Ecopetrol stated that boosting Colombia's gas supply was a key goal of the exploration campaign. Petrobras managed the planning and execution, which included specialized geoscience and engineering work alongside maritime, aviation, port, and oceanographic operations.