{
  "id": 9964634,
  "title": "De la Espriella announces the reopening of oil exploration in Colombia, including fracking",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/de-la-espriella-announces-the-reopening-of-oil-exploration-in",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-26T11:06:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MercoPress",
    "slug": "mercopress",
    "url": "https://en.mercopress.com/2026/09/26/de-la-espriella-announces-the-reopening-of-oil-exploration-in-colombia-including-fracking"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has announced the full reopening of hydrocarbon exploration and the signing of new contracts during the inauguration of Joaquín Gutiérrez as Ecopetrol's president, the country's largest company. The president emphasized that his administration is determined to reopen the path of exploration and signing of new contracts, including hydraulic fracturing (fracking), with utmost environmental responsibility. De la Espriella criticized his predecessor, Gustavo Petro, for reducing the signing of new exploration contracts as part of an energy transition strategy, stating that it represents energy dependence, which the current government will not accept. The announcement does not alter the existing framework, but reviving fracking in Colombia would necessitate reversing the cancellation of pilot projects under the previous administration and navigating regulatory and judicial restrictions. Ecopetrol's new president, Gutiérrez, expressed his intention to usher in a new era for the company, aiming to become one of the world's leading oil companies. He also proposed making Ecopetrol more efficient, depoliticized, and with a stronger regional presence, along with carrying out \"responsible fracking\" and ensuring it achieves its highest value under his tenure.",
  "summary": "Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced on Friday that his government will \"fully\" reopen hydrocarbon exploration and the signing of new contracts, including hydraulic fracturing, during the swearing-in of businessman Joaquín Gutiérrez as president of Ecopetrol, the country's largest company.",
  "key_points": [
    "Colombian President de la Espriella announces full reopening of hydrocarbon exploration.",
    "Includes signing of new contracts and hydraulic fracturing (fracking).",
    "Previous administration reduced exploration contracts, criticized by de la Espriella."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}