Oil and Gas Expansion in the Colombian Amazon

The report argues that the economic and energy security justifications for expanding oil and gas activities in the Colombian Amazon are poorly substantiated. It recommends permanently shelving unassigned blocks, protecting biodiversity, and managing the decline of the fossil fuel industry in areas like Putumayo to align with Colombia's climate commitments and its USD 40 billion climate and nature investment plan.

• Continued oil and gas activities in the Colombian Amazon threaten carbon sinks, biodiversity, and the human rights and livelihoods of local communities and Indigenous Peoples, despite the government's 2022 announcement to end new exploration.
• The arguments for further fossil fuel expansion based on energy security and economic profitability are not well-supported.
• The report proposes a transition strategy including the cancellation of future awarding rounds, the removal of unassigned blocks from the National Hydrocarbon Agency's Mapa de Tierras, and the promotion of green growth sectors such as sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and renewables to support a USD 40 billion investment plan.

APA

Ruiz,, I. A. B. A. Y. P. B. V. K. G. H. J. (2025). Oil and Gas Expansion in the Colombian Amazon. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/oil-gas-expansion-colombia-amazon

Chicago

Ruiz,, Ignacio Arróniz,Anna Bebbington,Paola Andrea Yanguas Parra,Olivier Bois von Kursk,Carlos Gaitán,Pablo Hernán Jamioy,Daniela. Oil and Gas Expansion in the Colombian Amazon. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2025. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/oil-gas-expansion-colombia-amazon.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ruiz, |first1=Ignacio Arróniz,Anna Bebbington,Paola Andrea Yanguas Parra,Olivier Bois von Kursk,Carlos Gaitán,Pablo Hernán Jamioy,Daniela |title=Oil and Gas Expansion in the Colombian Amazon |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=19 August 2025 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/oil-gas-expansion-colombia-amazon |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ruiz2025oil, author = {Ruiz,, Ignacio Arróniz,Anna Bebbington,Paola Andrea Yanguas Parra,Olivier Bois von Kursk,Carlos Gaitán,Pablo Hernán Jamioy,Daniela}, title = {{Oil and Gas Expansion in the Colombian Amazon}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2025}, month = aug, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/oil-gas-expansion-colombia-amazon}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }