Ecopetrol-contracted Colombia Pacific regasification plant faces startup delay (updated)

Ecopetrol SA

22/08/2026 24:41

Adds details from director, context
BOGOTA, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Colombia's Pacific Regasification Plant, contracted by state energy firm Ecopetrol ECO.CN, has delayed its startup by 22 to 30 days to November 1 due to transport disruptions following an earthquake, the project's director said on Friday.
While the plant itself was undamaged by the 7.4-magnitude quake last week, damage to the port of Buenaventura and local roads blocked the unloading of imported equipment, Mauricio Gomez said.
The equipment had to be diverted and unloaded in Peru and Panama instead, compounding the delays.
Gomez added the plant's management is negotiating with Ecopetrol to declare force majeure and avoid penalties for the delay.
"We agree that this clearly qualifies as an event that exempts us from liability," Gomez said.
Gomez added that operations could start earlier than November 1 if the project switches to 24-hour shifts, though "making a firm commitment is difficult because there are variables beyond our control."
Ecopetrol did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Located in southwestern Valle del Cauca department, the plant is designed to import, store, and convert liquefied natural gas to mitigate domestic fuel shortages.
According to Ecopetrol, it will have a regasification capacity of 60 million cubic feet per day.

 (Reporting by Nelson Bocanegra; Editing by Chris Reese)
 ((Email: Natalia.Siniawski@thomsonreuters.com))