Colombia's Orinoquia region faces natural gas supply risk

Authorities, businesses and residents in Colombia's Orinoquia region warn that a potential natural‑gas shortage could disrupt supply to millions of households and numerous industrial users. The risk stems from declining national reserves, rising residential and industrial demand, delayed exploration projects and aging infrastructure.

Importing gas has so far prevented interruptions, with about 31 % of the country’s gas now sourced abroad. Industry leaders, including Naturgas president Luz Stella Murgas Maya, say the key to restoring self‑sufficiency is accelerating new drilling, bringing additional import terminals online and ensuring timely operation of the Canacol gas‑processing plants. Failure to act could raise service costs, hurt regional competitiveness and strain the economy during peak demand periods such as the upcoming El Niño season.