A strong controversy erupted around the report. “Balance of hydrocarbon contracts and resources available for the Just Energy Transition” presented by the Ministry of Mines and Energy to support its decision not to grant new oil and gas exploration contracts, which, according to what was revealed by Caracol Radio, of which they are not aware in that portfolio, despite the fact that the names of the Vice Minister of Energy, Belizza Ruiz and other senior government officials, including President Gustavo Petro.

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Despite the fact that the 32-page report has Ruiz’s name, the vice minister told that outlet that she only knew about the report when it was presented to public opinion and that she had not been previously notified.

In addition, the outlet indicated that senior officials within the Ministry disagreed with the data presented in it, since there were technical, regulatory, and legal irregularities.

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Minister Irene Vélez He has pointed out on several occasions, like President Gustavo Petro, that the country will be self-sufficient in gas until 2037 and even 2042; however, this is done by counting proven, probable, possible resources (1p, 2p, and 3p), as well as contingent and prospective.

in accordance with Flover Rodriguez, president of the Colombian Association of Petroleum Geologists and Geophysicists, 2p and 3p resources require special conditions to be able to be brought to the surface, despite the fact that their existence has already been recognized. However, «prospective resources are still far from being reserves, since reserves have to be discovered, these are not,» he said.

Finally, the arguments used by the portfolio to make the decision not to deliver new contracts have been questioned, putting the security and energy self-sufficiency of the country at risk.

The vice minister has already presented her resignation letter to the President, although it has not yet been accepted.