The results show that the awareness of Colombians about the importance of oil, gas and coal production is growing.
The contrasts that have prevailed in the public agenda regarding hydrocarbon exploration, and the possibility of de-escalating it despite its relevance to the country's finances, are reflected in the most recent Oil Barometer. The results show that the awareness of Colombians about the importance of oil, gas and coal production is growing. The report, the product of 2,580 interviews, shows greater public acceptance of the hydrocarbons industry. Between 2019 and 2022, the number of Colombians who consider the industry "positive" for their respective municipalities has grown by almost 20 percentage points. In addition, eight out of 10 Colombians believe that the oil and gas industry is "necessary" to finance social programs and public investment. Paradoxically, the concerns of businessmen in the sector are also on the rise. "The projections are, for the first time, negative," details the report. Today, 37% of oil businessmen anticipate that they will reduce their operations in the country in the next five years. A percentage that increased 16 points compared to the last measurement, of 2021, when this negative outlook marked 21%. On the other hand, the percentage of oil tankers projected to keep their operations the same, maintaining the current conditions in the country, fell to 29%. And the percentage that maintains that it will increase its operations fell from 43% to 34%.
The main reasons are also clearly stated in the study, carried out by Jaime Arteaga y Asociados and the Centro Nacional de Consultoría. “Government changes”, with 24%, and “lack of government support”, with 20%, are the main motivations behind the pessimism of businessmen in the sector. “What we really need is to reduce inequity, make a well-made transition and generate income to invest in those who need it and reverse poverty. My conclusion from the Barometer is that less oil will mean more poverty for citizens and for the country”, says Andrés Gómez, founder of Laberinto Soluciones Estratégicas, about the results. The results are known in the midst of the boom in hydrocarbon exploration in the country, with a string of discoveries of gas deposits in the Caribbean, led by Ecopetrol, Hocol, Shell and Petrobras. Meanwhile, one of the biggest discussions around tax reform has had to do with the tax burden for oil companies.
Article taken from laopinion.com.co
By: Colprensa
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