Petrobras and Ecopetrol confirm new natural gas discovery in the Colombian Caribbean
The potential of natural gas in the Colombian Caribbean continues to grow. Petrobras and Ecopetrol confirmed a new natural gas discovery following the drilling of the Sandía-1 exploratory well, located in the GUA-OFF-O Block in deep waters off the Colombian coast. This discovery strengthens expectations regarding the future availability of the resource and supports the offshore exploration campaign that both companies are conducting in the region.
Sandía-1 strengthens the gas potential of the Colombian Caribbean
The exploratory well is located approximately 42 kilometers off the coast and operates in a water depth of 1,285 meters. It is also situated 18 kilometers from the Sirius-1 and Sirius-2 wells, and nine kilometers from the Copoazú-1 well, discoveries that in recent years have confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in this area of the Colombian offshore.
This proximity strengthens the prospect that the bloc holds larger gas reserves , an aspect that could contribute to expanding the country's energy supply once the corresponding technical evaluations are completed.
The technical assessment will define the scope of the discovery.
Drilling of Sandía-1 began on June 12, 2026, and reached its final depth on July 29. During operations, intervals with gas presence were identified and are currently being analyzed using specialized well logs.
Subsequently, the samples obtained will undergo laboratory testing to determine the characteristics of the deposit and establish its commercial development potential. These studies will define the recoverable volume and the feasibility of future project phases.
Petrobras and Ecopetrol advance in a joint strategy
The project is being developed under the GUA-OFF-O Contract signed with the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH). Petrobras International Braspetro BV – Colombia Branch acts as the operator with a 44.4% stake, while Ecopetrol owns the remaining 55.6%.
For Petrobras, this project is part of its strategy to incorporate new reserves through offshore exploration and the development of international partnerships. The company believes these projects can contribute to energy supply during the energy transition.
The discovery boosts expectations for natural gas supply
Ecopetrol 's perspective , the new natural gas discovery confirms the high potential of the Colombian Caribbean and supports the results obtained in the offshore exploration campaign.
The company also believes these advances will further expand geological knowledge of the region and strengthen the prospects for increasing natural gas availability to meet national demand in the coming years. Before moving to a potential production phase, the companies must complete the technical and regulatory assessments that will determine the true extent of the discovery.
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