Ecopetrol Announces Discovery in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico (U.S.)

Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL; NYSE: EC; TSX: ECP) announces that its U.S. affiliate Ecopetrol America Inc. has made significant advancements in the exploration of the Norphlet Play throughout its partnership with Shell and Nexen Petroleum Offshore U.S.A Inc.

Shell, as operator in the partnership, announced that the Rydberg well was successful. This well is located 75 miles (120 kilometers) offshore in the Mississippi Canyon Block 525 in

7,479 feet (2,280 meters) of water. The well was drilled to a total depth of 26,371 feet (8,038 meters) and encountered approximately 400 feet (122 meters) of net oil pay.

This is the first discovery for the partnership of Shell Offshore Inc. (operator, 57.2%), Ecopetrol America Inc. (28.5%) and Nexen Petroleum Offshore U.S.A. Inc. (14.3%), a wholly- owned affiliate of CNOOC Limited.

Bogotá D.C., July 16, 2014

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Ecopetrol is Colombia's largest integrated oil & gas company, where it accounts for 60% of total production. It is one of the top 50 oil companies in the world and the fourth largest oil company in Latin America. The Company is also involved in exploration and production activities in Brazil, Peru and the United States Gulf Coast, and owns the main refineries in Colombia, most of the network of oil and multiple purpose pipelines in the country, petrochemical plants, and is entering into the biofuels business.
This release contains forward-looking statements relating to the prospects of the business, estimates for operating and financial results, and those related to growth prospects of Ecopetrol. These are merely projections and, as such, are based exclusively on the expectations of management concerning the future of the business and its continued access to capital to fund the Company's business plan. Such forward-looking statements depend, substantially, on changes in market conditions, government regulations, competitive pressures, the performance of the Colombian economy and the industry, among other factors; therefore, they are subject to change without prior notice.

Contact us for any additional information: Investor Relations Alejandro Giraldo

Phone: +571-234-5190

Email: investors@ecopetrol.com.co

Media Relations (Colombia) Mauricio Téllez

Phone: + 571-2345377

Email: mtellez@ecopetrol.com.co

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