Colombia energy debate focuses on fracking technology and reserves

At the XXIII Colombian Petroleum, Gas and Energy Congress in Bucaramanga, industry leaders discussed the potential of unconventional resources in Colombia. Felipe Bayón, CEO of GeoPark and former president of Ecopetrol, highlighted that Colombia possesses significant potential in the Valle Medio del Magdalena and Cesar-Ranchería basins.

Bayón proposed shifting the debate regarding hydraulic fracturing (fracking) from whether the practice should occur to how it is implemented. He argued that international experience demonstrates that risks associated with the technique—which involves injecting pressurized fluid to fracture rock formations—can be managed through advanced engineering, strict monitoring, and high technological standards to minimize environmental impact.