Colombian natural gas investments set to increase 17% this year according to industry group

The head of the association Naturgas announced on Wednesday that investment in Colombia's natural-gas industry will increase by 17% in 2026. This is due to a focus on exploration and production, primarily in order to reduce a deficit in gas.

Naturgas' Luz Stella Murgas, the head of Naturgas, said that investments this year will rise to $1.03billion, from $883m in 2025. Murgas?said that the association expects to invest $839 million this year in exploration and production, $129 million in?transportation, and $62 in commercialization. Naturgas expects a 'gas deficit' of about 30% this year for Colombia, due to a decrease in exploration during the leftist presidency Gustavo Petro. Murgas, however, said that she expected a turnaround under the new right-wing president Abelardo De La Espriella who has taken office earlier this month and pledged to resume signing?new exploration agreements. Murgas stated that the only way for investors to stay in Mexico is to create a legal framework with tax stability and economic incentives. She said recently that 11 strategic projects had been identified as a way to ensure medium- and longer-term supply. Reporting by Nelson Bocanegra

(source: Reuters)