Colombia's Ecopetrol signs exploration deals

Ecopetrol, Colombia's state oil company, has signed agreements with foreign oil and gas companies to promote offshore gas exploration activities in Colombia's Caribbean ocean.
Texaco - through subsidiary Texas Petroleum Company - and Shell will explore the Macuira and Nazareth lots, which encompass 5,000 hectares near the border with Venezuela.
Amoco and Arco, meanwhile, will explorer the Fragata and Galeones, which extend from the border with Panama to the city of Santa Marta. Amoco signed the contract last year for the area with Ecopetrol and will operate the area in partnership with Arco.