Ecopetrol to Drill Two Exploratory Wells, Lorito-1 and Trogón-1, in Colombian Department of Meta

Ecopetrol will drill two exploratory wells in the department of Meta in the coming weeks, the state-controlled oil company announced today. The two wells, Lorito-1 and Trogón-1, are part of the company’s CPO-9 Block in the town of Guamal. Both have received been approved by Colombia’s National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA).

The Trogón well will be drilled in a land holding that Ecopetrol obtained when it acquired PIO XII, and as with the Lorito well, its goal is to confirm the potential for further exploration in the area. Currently, Ecopetrol produces 271,000 barrels of oil per day within the department of Meta.

Both prospects are part of a contract between the company and Talisman, a subsidiary of Spanish energy company Repsol, according to Ecopetrol.

The location of the Lorito well has been altered from the company’s original plan at the request of local residents, said the company. Ecopetrol added that it has had 78 meetings with various stakeholders in the area prior to announcing its plans to start drilling.

“These meetings have explained in detail the different prevention, mitigation, and environmental compensation measures that are included in the license that gave Ecopetrol the right to advance the exploratory activities,” said the company in a statement.

Ecopetrol said that it has also partnered with local officials in Guamal to advance conservation and restoration efforts in the Humadea river basin, which has been damaged in the past by oil exploration.