Colombia Eyes Venezuela Gas Imports as Supply Gap Widens
Colombia is considering gas imports from Venezuela to ease a growing supply deficit, with El Niño expected to raise demand further.
Colombia is examining ways to close a widening natural gas supply gap, including possible imports from neighbouring Venezuela, Energy Minister Maria Nohemi Arboleda said on Thursday.
Speaking at an industry forum in Cartagena, Arboleda said the government was "turning over every stone" in its search for gas, as the El Niño weather phenomenon threatens to deepen the shortfall.
Industry group Naturgas reports that gas imports have climbed to nearly 30% of national demand, up from 17% at the end of last year. The increase follows a drop in domestic production after former President Gustavo Petro's administration stopped awarding new exploration and production contracts.
New President Abelardo De La Espriella, a right-wing lawyer, has pledged to revive the extractive sector, including a push for fracking.
El Niño is expected to lift energy consumption through higher temperatures and lower rainfall, putting pressure on Colombia's hydroelectric-dependent grid, which supplies about 70% of the country's power generation.