Ecopetrol Takes Stake In ISA

Colombian state-run oil producer Ecopetrol has taken a 5.78% stake in state-controlled electricity distributor Interconexión Eléctrica SA (ISA) after exchanging its shares in local firm Transelca. In return, ISA gains control over electricity transmitter Transelca by taking over Ecopetrol’s 34.99% holding in the company which serves Colombia’s Atlantic coast. ISA was partially privatized in 2000 and has become a key regional player in the sector, expanding into Panama, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil.