Frontera Energy Suspends Operations at Cubiro Oil Field in Colombia After Local Violence, Threats

Frontera Energy this week suspended operations at its Cubiro site in the Colombian department of Casanare in response to violence, intimidation, and threats against workers and contractors, the Canadian oil company said in a statement.

The Toronto-based firm formerly known as Pacific Rubiales reported multiple people being harmed by local protestors, with one employee suffering “significant injuries” to their head and “many others” facing injuries and threats.

In all, Frontera says that 163 local workers will be affected by the shutdown of the Cubiro block, which can produce an average of 3,600 barrels of oil per day and accounts for “important royalties” for the company that have totaled some $30 million USD since 2015.

READ MORE: Frontera Energy to Drill up to 50 wells in the First Quarter of 2018

“Unfortunately, the excessive demands on the part of a minority group of people from San Luis de Palenque — a group that does not represent the leaders or the community of the municipality — has led the company to make this decision,” stated Frontera in a statement.

Frontera also called on local mayors, the governor of Casanare, and the national government to “assist in the prompt resolution of this conflict.”