The Gas Paradox in Colombia: Between Ideology and Energy Sovereignty

In my more than 30 years of international experience in the oil and gas industry, I have learned that energy decisions cannot be made based on wishes alone; they must be grounded in geological, technical, and economic realities. Today, Colombia faces a critical countdown: at current consumption levels, its proven gas reserves (2.064 trillion cubic feet) will be depleted in less than six years.

This reality places the country at a crossroads I recently analyzed and shared on the portal Las 2 Orillas (https://www.las2orillas.co/asi-es-como-el-fracking-podria-evitar-que-colombia-se-quede-sin-gas/): the nation must choose between maintaining a rigid ideological stance or ensuring its energy survival through the responsible use of fracking.

The challenge is not technical — it’s ideological

It is often said that fracking is incompatible with environmental protection. Yet from an engineering standpoint, this assertion lacks nuance. The technique—combining horizontal drilling with multiple controlled fractures—allows hydrocarbons to be extracted efficiently from source rocks (such as shales) with low permeability.

The key lies in operational excellence. When well integrity is properly guaranteed—through adequate cementing and zonal isolation—there is no risk of fluid migration to the surface. As I have publicly stated, every industry, whether mining or hydrocarbons, carries some degree of environmental impact. The professional goal is not to eliminate human activity, but to minimize and control its effects through state-of-the-art technology.

The great paradox of Ecopetrol

Perhaps the most ironic aspect of the current situation is what I call the “Permian Paradox.” While Colombia bans research pilots, Ecopetrol successfully participates in fracking projects in the Permian Basin in the United States alongside Oxy.

In other words, Colombia’s largest state-owned company is learning, investing, and profiting from this technology abroad—yet it is prohibited from applying it at home for the benefit of its own citizens. If this knowledge were applied in Colombia’s eight potential geological basins (such as the Magdalena Medio or Cesar regions), gas reserves could increase tenfold, keeping the threat of shortages at bay for decades.

The cost of losing energy sovereignty

Halting pilot projects like Kalé and Platero in Puerto Wilches deprived the country of valuable scientific data on how to implement fracking safely. Colombians are already feeling the consequences: the nation is importing nearly 20% of the gas it consumes, effectively relinquishing its energy sovereignty.

Imported LNG is expensive—once an emergency resource for drought seasons, it has now become a constant necessity. If industry players can no longer absorb these costs, they will be forced to revert to coal, an undeniable setback for both energy transition and carbon-footprint reduction.

Conclusion: A call for pragmatism

Given the current mindset, achieving a balance between development and environmental protection remains difficult. Yet the United States regained its global energy strength thanks to fracking. Colombia has both the resources and the technical capacity to do the same.

As an expert and entrepreneur, my position is clear: this issue demands a pragmatic—not political—approach. It is not about choosing between water and oil, but about using engineering and strict regulation so both can coexist, ensuring that Colombian households do not pay the price for a crisis we still have time to prevent.

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By: Jorge Miroslav Jara Salas, Global Energy Expert | President of Magnaccord Group SL

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