Colombia’s Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC) closed a case over six helicopter-service tenders involving Ecopetrol; the company had estimated potential group fines of COP 525.27 billion.
The SIC’s Resolution No. 88976, dated Nov. 9, archived the main allegation against Ecopetrol, CENIT TRANSPORTE Y LOGÍSTICA DE HIDROCARBUROS S.A.S. (CENIT), OLEODUCTO CENTRAL S.A. (OCENSA) and HELISTAR S.A.S. (Helistar). It also closed proceedings against five individuals and a subsidiary allegation against the three companies. Ecopetrol disclosed on Nov. 13 that the SIC had notified it of the decision.
The SIC said the record did not show that the companies unjustifiably limited participation in the tenders. The resolution treated aircraft-age and availability conditions as technically justified, citing operational safety and service continuity. It also noted that multiple bidders participated and found the cancellations justified.
The outcome diverged from the SIC’s Competition Directorate’s recommendation. Directorate staff had proposed sanctions against Ecopetrol, CENIT and OCENSA under the subsidiary allegation; the Superintendent instead accepted the Competition Advisory Council’s recommendation to close it after considering the evidence. That subsidiary claim concerned the three companies’ own procurement criteria.
The investigation covered six procurement processes conducted from 2011 to 2023. When the SIC announced charges in 2024, it said the tenders had a combined budget exceeding COP 417.5 billion. Its allegations focused on aircraft-age limits, a requirement that modified aircraft be available in Colombia when bids were submitted, and cancellations that the agency said could have limited competition and favored Helistar.
The resolution permits a reconsideration motion within 10 days of notification. Ecopetrol’s disclosure describes the period as 10 business days.
