Colombia loses self-sufficiency in gas and accelerates dependence on imports, warns Corficolombiana
Portafolio Journalist 04/13/2026 14:43 Updated: 04/13/2026 14:43
TL;DR
- Colombia's natural gas market has shifted structurally, losing energy self-sufficiency and increasing dependence on imports.
- National production decreased by 15.7% in February 2026, reaching its lowest level for that month, while internal consumption continues to grow.
- Imports, primarily GNL, now account for over 23% of supply, up from less than 3% between 2015-2023.
- Imported gas costs more, leading to price increases for industrial (69% in 2025) and residential (23% in 2025) sectors.
- New infrastructure projects aim to increase import capacity, but face regulatory and transport system bottlenecks.
- A potential strong El Niño event could significantly increase demand for thermal power plants, straining available supply.
- Long-term solutions include the offshore Sirius project and the potential reactivation of the gas pipeline with Venezuela, though both face significant uncertainties.