UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of December, 2015
Commission File Number 001-34175
| ECOPETROL S.A. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
| N.A. |
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
|
| COLOMBIA |
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
| Carrera 13 No. 36 – 24 |
| BOGOTA D.C. – COLOMBIA |
| (Address of principal executive offices) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-FxForm 40-F¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1)
Yes¨ Nox
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7)
Yes¨ Nox
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes¨ Nox
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-N/A
ECOPETROL RESPONDS TO COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES FILED BY
LATINAMERICAN HYDROCARBON CORPORATION S.A. – LAHCORP – AGAINST
ECOPETROL AND OTHER ENTITIES
Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL; NYSE: EC; TSX: ECP) hereby reports that it has filed its response before the Administrative Tribunal of Cundinamarca to the complaint for damages filed by Latinamerican Hydrocarbon Corporation S.A., which seeks to obtain a monetary award of up to COL$2,561,869,838,833. In the opinion of LAHCORP, the Administrative Tribunal of Cundinamarca was in error when, on February 22, 2012, it handed down its decision in favor of Ecopetrol in the breach of contract proceeding initiated by LAHCORP against Ecopetrol relating to facts arising out of the Condensate Supply Agreement No. 0002923, dated as of March 9, 1998.
Taking into consideration the fact that Ecopetrol S.A. is not a judicial authority and, accordingly, did not hand down the decision currently being challenged, there is no causal nexus with the damages that LAHCORP is currently claiming. Ecopetrol thusbelieves that the claims alleged in the complaint lack substantive and evidentiary support and, consequently, Ecopetrol has taken action to oppose such claims.
Bogotá D.C., December 21, 2015
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Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia and is an integrated oil & gas company; it is among the top 50 oil companies in the world and among the four top ones in Latin America. Besides Colombia - where it generates over 60% of the national production - it has exploration and production activities in Brazil, Peru & the US (Gulf of Mexico). Ecopetrol owns the largest refinery in Colombia and most of the pipeline and multi-product pipeline network in the country, and is significantly increasing its participation in bio-fuels.
This release contains statements that may be considered forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All forward-looking statements, whether made in this release or in future filings or press releases or orally, address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, including in respect of the Company’s prospects for growth and its ongoing access to capital to fund the Company’s business plan, among others. Consequently, changes in the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements: market prices of oil & gas, our exploration and production activities, market conditions, applicable regulations, the exchange rate, the Company’s competitiveness and the performance of Colombia’s economy and industry, to mention a few. We do not intend, and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
For further information, please contact:
Head of Corporate Finance and Investor Relations
María Catalina Escobar
Phone: (+571) 234 5190
E-mail:investors@ecopetrol.com.co
Media Relations (Colombia)
Jorge Mauricio Tellez
Phone: + 571-234-4329
e-mail:mauricio.tellez@ecopetrol.com.co
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Ecopetrol S.A. | ||||
| By: | /s/ María Fernanda Suárez | |||
| Name: | María Fernanda Suárez | |||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
Date: December 21, 2015