Colombia’s key oil and gas industry has started to feel the impacts of nationwide protests that have dragged on for three weeks.

GeoPark Colombia

On Wednesday, Energy Minister Diego Mesa said overall oil production had dropped below the 700,000 b/d mark for the first time since 2009.

Several producers working the country have publicly announced adverse impacts.

Canadian independent Gran Tierra Energy Inc. this week said the protests “initially did not impact the Colombian operations of Gran Tierra and other energy companies. However, in the last few days, blockades of key roads have started to cause the temporary shut-in of some oil wells and oil fields throughout Colombia and are now affecting almost all energy companies in the country.”

Blockades are occurring in the oil-rich...