Downstream
Transport
2009 was a crucial year for the consolidation of the heavy crude transport system in the Eastern Plains region, based on a series of projects to increase the capacity of the Araguaney-Porvenir, Ocensa and Oleoducto de Colombia pipelines. In addition, the Apiay-Porvenir system began operating with a 160 Kbdc capacity.
Similarly, the Poliducto de Oriente (multi-purpose pipeline connecting Sebastopol and Tocancipa) began operating to transport naphtha to the Eastern Plains region to facilitate heavy crude transport using the pipeline system, and the capacity of the Pozos Colorados – Galan line was increased to Kbdc. In 2009, 50% of the Caño Limon-Coveñas Pipeline, one of the main crude transport systems in the country, was reverted to Ecopetrol.
During the course of 2009, 501 km were added to Ecopetrol’s pipelines, which represents a 6% growth as compared to 2008. Therefore, 126 km were added to the Apiay-Porvenir line, 140 km to the Pozos Colorados-Galan line and 235 km to the Rubiales-Monterrey line, which corresponds to ODL.
As part of the growth and consolidation strategy for the crude evacuation infrastructure, 25% of Enbridge’s share in Ocensa was acquired, which was supplemented with the acquisition of Hocol, thus reaching the majority holding of Oleoducto de Colombia.
The cost of transport by pipeline for 2009 was $9.13/barrel-kilometer, in comparison with $9.70/barrel-kilometer during the same period in 2008. This reduction is mainly due to the growth in the volumes being transported.
Fuel Theft
Theft of refined products decreased 50% compared to 2008, dropping from 389 to 196 barrels per day.
Crude theft increased by 18%, going from 160 Bpd in 2008, to 189 Bpd in 2009, mainly due to the increase in the crime on the systems in the southern region of the country.
The number of attacks on the Caño Limon Coveñas Pipeline rose 23% compared to 2008, going from 13 to 16. However, the result is lower than that reported between 2001 and 2007. Operating management led to a 100% decrease in deferred production.
In the hydrocarbon transport systems located in the southern departments of Putumayo and Nariño, attacks increased by 18% vis-a-vis year 2008, going from 28 to 33.
Investment in infrastructure has translated in increased throughput, reaching 799,5 kbpd in 2009.
As part of the assurance strategy relative to hydrocarbon transport capacity, investment in infrastructure projects was undertaken, based on entrepreneurial synergies with third parties and a portfolio of 53 projects, the most relevant of which are listed below.
As regards the strategic objective to guarantee hydrocarbon transport capacity, the company carried out special projects to guarantee the evacuation of crudes.
In 2009, exports grew by 40% and we conquered new markets in the Far East.
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