Bogotá, Nov 17 (EFE) .- The Colombian state company Ecopetrol was awarded four blocks of the type "Lease Sale 249" for the exploration of hydrocarbons in deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Mexico, in the United States, the company reported today.

In the four exploitation areas are prospects such as the so-called "Blacktail", close to production platforms, that allows if they find hydrocarbons an early production thanks to the possibility of connecting with existing facilities in the area, explained Ecopetrol in a statement.

The proposal to achieve the award of the blocks was led and presented by Ecopetrol America Inc, which has 50% stake.

Subsequently, the company Repsol E & P was linked USA Inc, which will be the operator and will have the remaining 50%, added the information.

The president of Ecopetrol, Felipe Bayón, was satisfied with the award because it allows him to the company "to increase the presence in areas with high potential offshore the Gulf of Mexico".

He also recalled that there already have "a production exceeding 12,000 barrels per day, thanks to the outstanding work "of the technicians of the company and" to the alliance with a partner like Repsol ".