Colombia eyes fracking decree

摘要

COLOMBIA'S government may issue a new regulatory decree in order to overturn an administrative court injunction against the use of fracking in proposed pilot projects. The country's top administra- tive court, sitting as Council of State, upheld an effective moratorium on fracking, forcing several companies to suspend their plans for starting up pilot projects for the production of shale oil. A proposed regulatory frame- work for development of unconventional oil and gas was blocked last year in response to a lawsuit filed by an environmental lawyer. The latest ruling prevents companies from going ahead with at least four planned pilot projects until the court decides the merits of the arguments for and against the legality of the regulations.