BOGOTA, Colombia, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL; NYSE: EC; BVL: EC; TSX: ECP) announced today its consolidated proved reserves (1P) of oil, condensed and natural gas as of December 31, 2011 according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) technical standards and methodology. 99% of the reserves were audited by three specialized independent firms: Gaffney, Cline & Associates, Ryder Scott Company and DeGolyer and McNaughton.

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Ecopetrol's Corporate Group proved net reserves of hydrocarbons at the end of 2011 amounted 1,857 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE), which represents an increase of 8.3% compared to 1,714 MMBOE at the end of 2010. In 2011, there was an increase of 364 MMBOE of proven reserves and net production came to 221 MMBOE.

The reserve replacement ratio in 2011 was 164%, which means that 1.64 barrels were added to proven reserves for each barrel of oil equivalent produced.

In 2011, the corporate group's net production grew 17%. Despite the larger production, the reserves-to-production ratio, assuming the same production level of 2011 in the future, was 8.4 years.

Ecopetrol increased its net reserves by 63% in the past three years (2009-2011) from 1,137 MMBOE at the end of 2008 to 1,857 MMBOE as of December 31, 2011. During the same period, net production increased from 135 MMBOE in 2008 to 221 MMBOE in 2011, an increase of 64%. Reserves have grown at the same pace of production and the average reserve replacement rate for the three-year period was 236%.

Increase in proven reserves is due mainly to extensions of proven area, revisions of previous estimates in some fields, and acquisitions.

The main increase came from the following fields: Castilla, Cupiagua and Chichimene fields, operated directly by Ecopetrol; the Rubiales and Quifa fields, operated in partnership; as well as due the acquisition of Equion.





    Proved Reserves (1P)
    (Net reserves, does not include
     royalties)                                        MMBOE

    Proved net reserves as of Dec. 31, 2010                   1,714
    Extensions and discoveries                                  252
    Revisions of previous estimates                              62
    Acquisitions                                                 35
    Enhanced recovery                                            15
    Production/sales year 2011                                 -221
    Proved net reserves as of Dec. 31, 2011                   1,857

Ecopetrol clarifies that in the statement of proved reserves as of December 31, 2011, there are no additions from any of the discoveries in Colombia and abroad announced in the past two years. Ecopetrol is determining boundaries and carrying out development planning on those fields.

Ecopetrol accounts for 94% of the 1,857 MMBOE of proven reserves. The remainder comes from Hocol, Ecopetrol America and Ecopetrol's participation in Equion and Savia (Peru).

Ecopetrol is Colombia's largest integrated oil & gas company, where it accounts for 60% of total production. It is one of the top 40 oil companies in the world and the fourth largest oil company in Latin America. The Company is also involved in exploration and production activities in Brazil, Peru and the United States Gulf Coast, and owns the main refineries in Colombia, most of the network of oil and multiple purpose pipelines in the country, petrochemical plants, and is entering into the biofuels business.

This release contains forward-looking statements relating to the prospects of the business, estimates for operating and financial results, and those related to growth prospects of Ecopetrol. These are merely projections and, as such, are based exclusively on the expectations of management concerning the future of the business and its continued access to capital to fund the Company's business plan. Such forward-looking statements depend, substantially, on changes in market conditions, government regulations, competitive pressures, the performance of the Colombian economy and the industry, among other factors; therefore, they are subject to change without prior notice.

Contact us for any additional information:

Investor Relations
Alejandro Giraldo
Phone: +571-234-5190
Email: investors@ecopetrol.com.co

Media Relations (Colombia)
Mauricio Tellez
Phone: + 571-2345377
Fax: +571-2344480
Email: mtellez@ecopetrol.com.co

Website: www.ecopetrol.com.co

SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A.