In September 2025, Colombia achieved an average oil production of approximately 751,600 barrels per day, marking only a marginal increase of 0.1% from August 2025 but still reflecting a decline of roughly 3.8% compared to the same period in 2024. The departments of Meta and Casanare were key contributors to this slight uptick, with Casanare’s output rising from 106,300 to 107,200 barrels daily, supported notably by the Namero field in Tauramena, producing around 1,200 barrels per day. However, this modest progress contrasts with the broader declining trend seen throughout the year.
Between January and September 2025, the production average hovered near 747,800 barrels per day, a clear downturn relative to previous years. Fields such as Caño Sur, Akacías, Índico, and Pendare have gained prominence with a collective contribution rising from 78,900 barrels per day in 2023 to over 112,000 barrels per day in 2025, indicating pockets of growth amid overall contraction. Still, excluding these rising fields plus Rubiales, the national crude output would have decreased by about 5.5%, equating to a shortfall of 32,000 barrels daily.
Meta remains the main oil-producing department, accounting for 58.3% of national output in September, followed by Casanare (14%), Arauca (6%), and Santander (6%). Ecopetrol dominates production with roughly 62.8% market share, while other significant operators include Frontera Energy, Geopark, SierraCol, and Gran Tierra. Together, thirteen companies contribute 98% of Colombia’s petroleum production, underscoring high sector concentration.
Natural gas production tells a similar story of contraction. Production in September 2025 was about 1.243 billion cubic feet per day, down 10.7% compared to the same month in 2024, though slightly up 2.1% from August 2025. Casanare leads gas output with about 62.5% participation, followed by Sucre and Córdoba. Commercialized gas production also declined sharply, averaging around 814 million cubic feet per day in September 2025—a drop of 10.2% year-over-year. Ecopetrol dominates gas fields as well, contributing over 70% of production.
The sector’s decline correlates strongly with increased insecurity and operational disruptions. In the first eight months of 2025 alone, 25 attacks on oil pipelines were recorded—far surpassing previous years—primarily concentrated in Arauca, where the municipality of Saravena experienced over half of the incidents. These attacks, combined with community blockades especially in regions like Meta and Arauca, have caused production deferrals estimated at 10,800 barrels per day, translating into losses around US$181 million. Prolonged disruptions, including a 15-day blockade in Acacías, significantly undermined operational continuity.
Investment in exploration and drilling activities has also faltered. The number of active drilling rigs fell by nearly 28% from November 2022 to mid-2025, with rig counts dropping from 60 to 31. Exploration investment for 2025 is projected at $740 million, an 18% decline compared to 2024, marking the lowest level in four years. This contraction is partly attributable to the government’s decision to halt new contracts for exploration and production, curtailing reserve replenishment and future production capacity.
Externally, geopolitical tensions and global energy market shifts—including increased production from OPEC+ countries and volatile international relations—have pressured crude prices to a moderate range between $60 and $70 per barrel. This range challenges the economic viability of new Colombian projects.
Colombia’s exports reflect these production and market realities. In 2025, crude and derivatives exports contracted by 15.4% in value and 2.5% in volume compared with 2024. Export destinations are dominated by Panama, the United States, India, and Peru, with exports to the U.S., India, and Peru declining substantially, while those to Panama surged by more than 77%.
Despite emerging productive fields and temporary gains in segments like Caño Sur—where production rose over 800% since 2020—the sector’s overall decline underscores the urgent need for improved security, renewed investment incentives, and strategic policy to stabilize Colombia’s vital oil and gas industry. The sector’s performance remains critical not only for energy supply but also for government revenues, regional economic development, and the national fiscal health.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
