About

Brazilian energy giant Petrobras has been present in Colombia for over 30 years and today conducts offshore exploration activities as well as owning plants for the production of lubricants and fuel distribution in the country. Since 2014, legal affairs for Petrobras’ companies in Colombia has been overseen by general counsel Oscar Vela. He has excelled in advising different areas of the business, including the president, on legal matters whilst also dealing with the management and supervision of corporate and regulatory compliance. One nominator said regarding Vela that he is a ‘strong and very knowledgeable lawyer [with a] deep knowledge of his business and awareness of regulatory issues’. Prior to Petrobras, Vela spent over four years as legal manager for Parex Verano Energy. Before that he worked as an associate for various law firms including Cavelier Abogados and Rodriguez Azuero Abogados. With over 15 years of experience in multinational companies, law firms and the public sector, Vela is rightly regarded amongst the top in-house lawyers in the country.