Striking truckers snarling Colombia fuel supply

OREANDA-NEWS. July 19, 2016. The Colombian government is coordinating fresh fuel supplies to regions cut off by a prolonged truckers? strike.

The energy ministry said yesterday it has so far coordinated 4mn USG of diesel and gasoline deliveries to combat shortages caused by roadblocks and protests.

"Thanks to the Police and the National Army, we've coordinated deliveries of additional fuel to zones that are experiencing supply problems. Using tanker trucks and barges, we've made sure that gasoline and diesel are getting to the areas that most need it," energy minister German Arce Zapata said.

Truckers on strike since 7 June started blockading roads last week, prompting the government to militarize Colombia's road network.

Trucking associations want the government to adjust regulation they say forces small and medium-sized trucking companies to operate at a loss.

Colombia's transport ministry said on 12 July it would keep negotiations suspended "as long as incendiary statements persist." President Juan Manuel Santos has threatened to revoke the licenses of truckers found blocking roads.

Santos has also said his government would mobilize 50,000 "uniforms" to ensure safe movement of "people and food."

At least one protester, in Boyac? province, was killed in clashes with the anti-riot forces.

As of 19 July, Colombia had imported 300,000 USG from Ecuador to service Ipiales municipality in the southwestern province of Nari?o, one of the regions hardest hit by the strike.

The energy ministry told Argus today that for now, there are no additional imports planned.

Barges leaving the Pacific port of Buenaventura delivered 70,000 USG of fuel to Nari?o's Tumaco port, the outlet for state-controlled Ecopetrol's 85,000 b/d Transandino crude pipeline.

Nari?o has also received 1.6mn USG of fuel in around 200 tanker trucks.

The eastern province of Casanare has received 1.3mn USG and Puerto Asis in Putumayo province in the south received 176,495 USG.

Ecopetrol operates oil and gas fields in Casanare province and Canadian independent Gran Tierra and UK independent Amerisur operate in Puerto Asis.

Arauca province, where US Occidental operates the Ca?o Lim?n oil complex, received 110,000 USG.

The central province of Boyaca was supplied with 240,000 USG, and Florencia in Caqueta province received 58,392 USG.

Colombia's oil chamber ACP said last week the blockades had trapped some crude production, especially in Casanare.