Issue April 2017

Join Us!


IV Deepwater & Unconventional E&P In Colombia Forum

On May 1st, 2017 
 

 For more information click here.


Thank you to our sponsors:
 




Meeting with Ambassador Juan Carlos Pinzón

During CERAweek 2017, The Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce organized a meeting with Ambassador of Colombia to the US, Juan Carlos Pinzon. To the event attended some of our board members and top executives, such as Orlando Velandia, President (ANH), Felipe Bayón, Executive Vice President, (Ecopetrol), and Francisco José Lloreda, President, (ACP) who had the opportunity to join the Ambassador and interact with questions and answers.
 
 
 

Welcome Our New Board Members


Marcela Pisciotti
Director
Coremar



Rafael Carsalade
Treasurer
PKF

Posey International - Members Corner

Member since 2012

   
 
Rodrigo Soto
Posey International, Inc.
 
Posey International is a Freight Forwarding Company with more than 40 years in the market. We specialized in International Freight with a focus in the LATAM market. The company also provides a solution in the USA Custom Brokerage, Drayage based in the Port of Houston, Commodity trades operated from our office in Cali Colombia and warehouse services in Brownsville, TX. We are constantly evolving in our services, we are opening new markets (Asia) and focusing in one of the most emerging economies in the world: Mexico. The Freight Forwarding department specializes in container and project cargo shipments
CTCC represent to our company network with the different business men and authorities in the Houston area, the Chamber also provides valuable information and data of LATAM in the economic and trade statistics.

read more...

Special thanks to our members

Platinum


Gold
 
  


Silver

                         
     


Corporate

  
 


CTCC - The Next Five Years


                            
Claudia Rojas
General Manager - Indequipos Corp | President - CTCC



The Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce, was launched five years ago, during OTC, at an event organized by the US Commercial Service about Colombia’s energy sector and business opportunities for US companies. The event included as speakers Ecopetrol, Campetrol and the Colombian National Hydrocarbon Agency. The CTCC couldn’t have found a better place to be “born”. It was also the perfect timing, as two weeks later, the free trade agreement between the US and Colombia was signed.
During these five years, the CTCC has acted as a bridge that connects the private and public sectors to facilitate processes and boost their development, and has contributed to solving industry bottle necks in Colombia by finding experts at worldwide level that can share best practices and lessons learned for the benefit of the country. CTCC has accomplished this by bringing together Government, Industry, Academy and Consulting firms, to analyze the competitiveness of Colombia in the region, to describe how other countries have succeeded, and to recommend actions to improve our country competitiveness.
CTCC has assisted US and Colombian companies developing and growing their businesses, by providing specialized market research, identifying business leads, reliable business partners, and access to high level business and governmental decision makers in Colombia and the US. CTCC is also proud of the more than 1000 face-to-face business meetings it has generated and, its results promoting and referring the CTCC members. 
CTCC strongly believes in cooperation and is a proud member of the “Houston: Gateway to the Americas” management team and founder of the Pacific Alliance Business Network, an initiative that brings together all the Latin American bi-country chambers of Commerce and opens the spectrum of opportunities for our members.
In the last past 5 years both economies in Colombia and Texas have reached their very highs and their very lows, is hard to find a more economically eclectic period in recent history.  Some companies have been able to survive and even grow by finding efficiencies to lower their costs, or by switching to another industry or market; many have had to reinvent themselves and redefine goals and success factors.  
As the roller coaster continues, the next five years, companies can count on the CTCC to help them find business opportunities, read the market, understand the new business environment, meet key players, use new tools, re-invent their business, and find new markets. The CTCC counts with an outstanding Board of Directors and a very professional and energetic management team that will devote its efforts to help its members grow.
Companies have the “know-how”, chambers have the “know-who” and we are here to connect you and to help you succeed.

Thank you for your trust,

Claudia Rojas
 
Special Note:
This week we are celebrating the CTCC’s 5th birthday. Words cannot express enough my gratitude, admiration and love for the outstanding CTCC team current and past. To our board of directors, my deepest thanks and admiration as well, each of you has been instrumental for the development and growth of the Chamber and your guidance and contribution is invaluable.
To our members, thank you for your trust, and for giving us the opportunity to serve you.
 

read more...

IHS Markit - Deepwater Activity in Colombia


Carla K. McGettigan 
Regional Research Manager  | Energy - Latin America 



Colombia’s offshore exploration activities have increased during the past decade, setting the stage for future deepwater prospects. The upsurge also brings challenges to the government for sound regulatory and fiscal terms. Tax incentives, Zonas Francas (Free Trade Zones), and improved contract terms are currently under review.   
The free trade zone official decree in 2014 finally led to the September 2016 Committee of Free Zones approval, a milestone for Colombia’s competitiveness and investment incentive. In September 2016 the Minister of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) German Arce Zapata announced the government of Colombia’s decision to approve the first free zones, both offshore and onshore near the Caribbean coast. Operators will be granted benefits in the payment of income tax, value added tax (VAT) and tariffs for export. The blocks located along the coastline are in the exploration stage and future development in these areas could open opportunities for the port cities of Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta.
Colombia’s National Hydrocarbon Agency (ANH) first offered offshore exploration areas through bid rounds in 2007 with the Caribbean Round, or Ronda Caribe 2007. Deepwater acreage was also offered via bid rounds that followed in 2010, 2012, and 2014. A number of companies were attracted to the offshore scene and are active today including Anadarko, Ecopetrol, ExxonMobil, ONGC, Petrobras, Repsol, Shell and Statoil.

read more...

CTCC - 5 Years at a Glance


Arthur D Little - Unconventional hydrocarbons in Latin America

 


​Rodolfo Guzman | Partner Energy & Utilities
Roberto Imperatore | Senior Consultant, Energy & Utilities
Agustin Gogorza | Manager, Energy & Utilities
Paola Carvajal | Principal, Energy & Utilities
Paola Perez | Business Analyst Energy & Utilities

 
Production of unconventional hydrocarbons became globally prominent in 2010, when the US, for the first time, reached a daily output of 1 million barrels of tight oil. In Latin America, where high unconventional hydrocarbon potential has been widely recognized, Governments noticed the need to attract experienced international operators, qualified suppliers and risk-prone investors to develop such resources. The current global low-prices and increasing social and environmental pressures raise questions about the timing of Latin America’s unconventional take-off. This article anticipates that, notwithstanding the pitfalls, at least 1 mmboepd of new unconventional oil and gas production could come online in Latin America within the next 10 years.
There are enablers and challenges to be addressed to develop Latin American unconventional hydrocarbon resources efficiently: ƒ Benefit from the US’s and Canada’s development experience ƒ Encourage collective knowledge building and innovation ƒ De-risk reserves fast and efficiently ƒ Use advanced analytical tools selectively and fine-tune processes to attain outstanding results ƒ Assure sustainable operations and community support ƒ Secure market advantage
As conventional O&G production in Latin American countries such as Mexico, Colombia and Argentina approaches a decline phase, their unconventional O&G upside can be explored and developed, and serve to both increase overall hydrocarbon production and improve the trade balance. This is not only good news for their NOCs, but also offers ample opportunity for international E&P companies and service providers with appetites for and experience in unconventional production. However, the unconventional developments in the region will be subject to particular country level conditions and Argentina has taken the lead in developing large unconventional resources in Latin America, followed by Mexico and Chile, while Colombia still needs to overcome key challenges to relaunch exploration.

CTCC Will Organize Your Event


 


CTCC WILL ORGANIZE YOUR EVENT

Exclusive for CTCC Members 

for more information
send an email to

info@colombiatexaschamber.com


 
The Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce - Issue April 2017