The logo of Ecopetrol is pictured at its headquarters in Bogota, Colombia July 11, 2023.
The Sirius block, located off Colombia’s Caribbean coast, is owned by Ecopetrol with a 55.6% stake, while Petrobras holds the remaining 44.4% and serves as the project’s operator. The field contains an estimated 6 billion cubic feet of natural gas and represents a total investment of approximately $5 billion. Operations are scheduled to start between 2029 and 2030.
Ecopetrol President Ricardo Roa stated that both companies have reached an agreement to market up to 249 million cubic feet of natural gas per day for up to six years. “This mechanism seeks to guarantee the efficient, public, and objective allocation of natural gas from the Sirius field,” he said. The initiative is considered a vital step toward strengthening Colombia’s natural gas supply, as the country has increasingly relied on fuel imports to satisfy domestic consumption.
Development of the project is progressing steadily. In mid-October, Petrobras Colombia’s president, Alcindo Moritz, reported that around 50% of the necessary “prior consultations” had been completed. These consultations, which rose from 116 to 120 in September, are an essential legal process in Colombia that ensures ethnic and local communities can participate in decision-making regarding projects that may impact their territories, cultural heritage, or rights.
The Sirius project is expected to play a strategic role in Colombia’s efforts to enhance its self-sufficiency in energy and reduce dependence on imported fuels. By combining Ecopetrol’s strong domestic presence and Petrobras’s offshore expertise, the partnership aims to ensure long-term production stability and efficient resource management. The two companies also expect the project to generate local employment opportunities and support regional economic growth once commercial operations commence.
In a separate development, Russia’s second-largest oil producer, Lukoil, announced on Monday its decision to sell its international assets. The company did not provide details regarding the buyers or the timeline for the transactions.
The partnership between Ecopetrol and Petrobras underlines the growing importance of regional cooperation in the Latin American energy market. As demand for natural gas rises, such collaborations are expected to contribute to sustainable resource development, improved energy infrastructure, and greater energy security for participating nations.
