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Daniel Lucio

COLOMBIA - Energy & Mining

Daniel Lucio

CEO, Summum Corp.

Bio

Daniel Lucio is a lawyer, having graduated from Universidad de la Sabana de Colombia. He specialized in contracts law from Universidad del Rosario and has an MBA from Tulane University in New Orleans. He has over 20 years of experience in professional practice, of which 15 were dedicated to positions of senior responsibility. He has been a member of the board of directors of companies and consortiums in Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. He has been the CEO of Summum Corp for the last eight years.

"We set up an innovation division three years ago to work on new technologies."
Summum Corp provides services to major energy operators in Colombia, Mexico, and other countries, while also focusing on renewable energy projects in Colombia and hydrogen projects in Mexico and investing in R&D.
What major projects has the company been working on in the last year, and what are its focuses for Colombia and the wider region for 2023?

The largest project Summum Corp. is currently developing is the refurbishment of a refinery in Peru. It is one of the top-three, five-biggest refining projects on the continent and is owned by Petroperú. We are the manager and supervisor of the project and have been involved since the beginning in 2010. We are currently in the closing stages and expect it to be completed by the end of 2023. This is an important project not just for Peru, but also the entire Latin America region. We are also working with major energy operators in Colombia, such as Ecopetrol. We provide services for the companies that are 90% responsible for the production of oil and gas. Summum also renders power services in the energy sector. We have completed many projects in Mexico as well, mainly for four plants of the largest companies in the world that operate there. We have an office and staff located in Mexico and have been operating there since 2010. We also provide services in other countries such as Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, and Bangladesh. Summum is well positioned in the energy sectors of Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, working with the main players of the industry. We are currently focused on these three regions where we have physical offices and local staff.

What is your perspective on the current energy matrix in Colombia and the role of different biofuels?

Summum has already started working on renewable energy projects in Colombia, as well as hydrogen projects in Mexico. Many of our senior managers have experience working on renewable energy projects around the world. We are, therefore, following the transition with a positive yet measured approach. It will take time, and conventional energy will still be required to support the transition. In Colombia, the most important contribution must come from the government. The transition is necessary and needs to be done responsibly, with a plan developed by both the government and private entities. If we do this, we can expect a gradual transition in the next 15-20 years, though conventional energy resources will still continue for the next 20-30 years. Both energies will co-exist and support each other for many years.

What is Summum’s approach to investing in research and technology, and how can that assist with the energy transition?

We set up an innovation division three years ago to work on new technologies. This not only works on renewable energy, but also conventional energy and infrastructure services as well. We are currently closing three or four projects with local universities with the goal of launching pilot programs with clients in the next year. These projects aim to add value to our clients, be more environmentally friendly, and introduce more technology to our sector. The sector needs to improve its technologies and processes and find better ways to complete projects.

Can you elaborate on the company’s commitment to helping local communities develop?

Summum has operated this way for many years in all the countries it works in, and this is not new for us. This is also how the energy and infrastructure sector have operated for many years. We are always focused on the development of education in communities and bringing together new, young professionals and staff from the communities and universities. We recently launched our SEMILLERO program. We seek special talents in local and national universities and provide them with an opportunity to work with us. We have also supported our employees and local community members with their university studies in the past. When we arrive at a project location, we also commit to hiring local talent for all the services we need for the project. We also have a social sustainability division that works hard in this area.

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