BOGOTÁ, Colombia, June 29, 2016 /CNW/ --
Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL; NYSE: EC) hereby announces that the rating agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) maintained the
company´s investment grade at BBB.
Within the report, S&P mentioned the Company's leading position in Colombia,
its low lifting cost, and its basis of proven reserves. S&P also highlighted the greater operating efficiencies achieved by
Ecopetrol through its austerity plan and cost-cutting measures, as well as its focus on profitable barrels.
In its report, the agency kept the Company's negative outlook, considering the impact that volatility in crude
oil prices might have on its financial metrics, and in line with the current outlook for the Republic of Colombia (BBB, negative outlook).
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 (E)
Lina María Contreras
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
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SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A.
