Colombia moves to bolster gas supply as deficit fears grow

The Colombian government has launched an emergency plan aimed at guaranteeing energy supply amid growing fears of an imminent natural gas shortage. 

In a statement, the mines and energy ministry said a "coordinated strategy" would be implemented alongside national hydrocarbons agency ANH and power sector regulator Creg. 

Measures include the activation of a working group comprising stakeholders, industry groups and public entities, it added.

"Its objectives include developing a roadmap for 2025-2026 and making recommendations for regulatory and infrastructure adjustments," the statement read. 

The plan will prioritize the management of hydrocarbon resources, particularly gas, and the formation of a data analysis team to guide "evidence-based decisions" regarding gas production, the ministry said. 

It insisted that current gas production remained "stable” and that daily monitoring ensured continued supply to households and industries.

Data published by natural gas market administrator BMC shows that Colombia will have a natural gas deficit of 76.5BBTU/d (billion British thermal units a day) in 2025 and 190BBTU/d in 2026.

The situation has been exacerbated by a sharp decline in gas reserves, which fell to 2.37Tf3 (trillion cubic feet) at the end of 2023 from 2.82Tf3/d a year earlier, according to official figures.