6-K 1 v171719_6k.htm
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
                        
 
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

January 2010
                        
 
Commission File Number: 333-153452
                        
 
ECOPETROL S.A.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)
                        
 
Carrera 7 No. 37 – 69
BOGOTA – COLOMBIA
(Address of registrant’s principal executive offices)
                        
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
 
Form 20-F
 x
Form 40-F
o
 
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       
o
No
 x
 
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       
o
No
 x
 
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
Yes       
o
No
 x
 
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):  82-    N/A   
 
 
PRESS RELEASE
 
ECOPETROL ANNOUNCES APPROVAL OF PRELIMINARY FINANCING COMMITMENT ON BEHALF OF THE U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK, VALUED AT U.S. $1 BILLION

Ecopetrol S.A. today announced that the U.S Export-Import Bank (U.S. Eximbank) issued a Preliminary Commitment letter for the financing of American goods and services to be used in exploration and development activities, as well as improvement and expansion of existing facilities, up to a value of $1 billion.

This preliminary approval is the first step toward obtaining final approval (Final Commitment), once Ecopetrol fulfills all requirements typical of this type of transaction. Financial terms have not yet been established.

The announcement is excellent news for the company and confirms the confidence of the international financial community in Ecopetrol S.A.’s strategic investment plan.

Additionally, a similar commitment by the U.S. Eximbank is also expected in connection with the expansion project of the Cartagena Refinery, owned by Reficar S.A., and a subsidiary of Ecopetrol S.A.


Bogotá, Colombia, January 19 of 2010

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Ecopetrol is Colombia’s largest integrated oil company and is among the top 40 oil companies in the world and the four largest oil companies in Latin America. Besides Colombia, where it accounts for 60% of total production, the Company is involved in exploration and production activities in Brazil, Peru and the United States (Gulf of Mexico). Ecopetrol has the principal refinery in Colombia, most of the network of oil and multiple purpose pipelines in the country, and it is considerably increasing its participation in biofuels.

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.


 
 Dirección de Relacionamiento con el Inversionista Tel: 2345190 – Fax: 2345648    investors@ecopetrol.com.co
www.ecopetrol.com.co
 
 
 
 
PRESS RELEASE

 
Contact us for any additional information:

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

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

Website: www.ecopetrol.com.co 
 
    
 
 
 
 Dirección de Relacionamiento con el Inversionista Tel: 2345190 – Fax: 2345648    investors@ecopetrol.com.co
www.ecopetrol.com.co
 
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURE
 
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, thereto duly authorized.
 
Date:  January 19, 2010
 
  Ecopetrol S.A.  
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Adriana M. Echeverri  
  Name:  Adriana M. Echeverri  
  Title:  Chief Financial Officer