Ecopetrol Tenders for July Gasoline Deliveries

Colombia's state-run Ecopetrol has launched a tender to buy a 290,000-300,000 barrel cargo of gasoline RON 92 for delivery at Mamonal port on July 1-3, according to an invitation seen by Reuters on Thursday.

The Andean country has increased imports of fuels in recent months after the 80,000 barrel per day (bpd) Cartagena refinery in March started a major expansion program that will last until the second quarter of 2015.

The cargo should contain maximum 280 parts per million sulfur and bidders must index prices to unleaded gasoline 87 from the U.S. Gulf Coast. The company will receive offers until June 12.

Ecopetrol will receive six cargoes of naphtha and ultra low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) this month from Trafigura and Atlantic Trading & Marketing Inc (ATMI), after awarding them tenders launched in May to import fuels.

Reporting by Marianna Parraga