PDVSA’s plans to collaborate with Colombia in gas supply have been frozen due to the recent sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuela. Confidential letters reveal that the Venezuelan government had already approved funds to operate a gas pipeline and sign contracts with Ecopetrol, the Colombian state-owned oil company.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed willingness to collaborate with PDVSA and its subsidiary in Colombia, in an effort to revive negotiations in fossil fuels between both countries. However, the imposition of US sanctions has jeopardized this project.

Obstacles to importing gas from Venezuela include lack of information on the pipeline’s capacity to transport natural gas to Colombia, as well as the inoperability of some sections of the pipeline on Colombian soil. Restoration of these deteriorated infrastructures could take between 2 and 3 years, according to experts.

Additionally, the prospect of the United States reinstating oil sanctions against PDVSA poses an additional challenge. This would further complicate commercial transactions between Ecopetrol and the Venezuelan state-owned company, as Ecopetrol is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Despite these challenges, the Colombian government remains committed to the realization of the gas import project from Venezuela, considering it as a “ray of hope” in a fundamental sector for the country. However, the Colombian Association of Oil and Gas has expressed skepticism, noting that Colombia has good-quality gas at competitive prices within its own territory.

The future of the energy collaboration project between Colombia and Venezuela remains uncertain, as both nations face significant geopolitical and economic pressures.