Surtigas

What Surtigas does

Surtigas S.A. E.S.P. is a regulated Colombian gas distribution utility headquartered in Cartagena de Indias with more than 56 years of operating history. Structured as a sociedad anónima de servicios públicos (S.A. E.S.P.) under Colombian law, the company distributes and commercializes natural gas to residential, commercial, industrial, and vehicular customers across five Caribbean-region departments: Bolívar, Córdoba, Sucre, Nororiente de Antioquia, and Santa Ana (Magdalena). The core technology stack comprises pipeline distribution infrastructure, regulated metering (including a proprietary prepaid Gas Natural Prepago system that supports financial inclusion for strata 1-2 customers), accredited ONAC metrological laboratories, an accredited inspection organism, and digital customer-service channels (Oficina Virtual at digital.surtigas.com.co, a mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store, a WhatsApp business line at 314 411 1110, and toll-free voice lines 164 / 01-8000-910164).

The business model is anchored in CREG-regulated tariffs, generating revenue through fixed monthly charges (cargo fijo), consumption-based volumetric charges per cubic meter, one-time connection fees plus proportional network investment recovery, and cross-subsidy contribution charges from strata 5-6 customers that fund subsidies for strata 1-2 customers. Beyond regulated gas distribution, the company has built a diversified revenue portfolio: subscription-based Brilla de Surtigas non-banking consumer financing with attached insurance products (exequial and family protection), usage-based prepaid gas, one-time solar photovoltaic installation revenues under Energía Solar, professional services from the metrological laboratory and the inspection organism, vehicular natural gas (GNV) refueling, and intermediation through its Mercado Secundario platform. The company is governed by a Board of Directors (Junta Directiva), has issued ordinary bonds with KPMG referenced as auditing/issuing-certification support, and as of December 2022 had contracted a COP $168,500 million bank credit facility at IBR + 8.75% over three years. Net profit grew 24% from COP $46,587 million in 2017 to COP $57,559 million in 2018, the most recent directly disclosed profitability figure. The company has maintained ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 certifications, an updated 2025 ONAC accreditation, and has published a Plan de Expansión 2026-2030 signaling continued investment in its service territory.

Name

Surtigas

Legal name

SURTIGAS S.A. E.S.P.

Website

https://surtigas.com.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Surtigas S.A. E.S.P. is a regulated Colombian natural gas distribution utility headquartered in Cartagena de Indias, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers across five Caribbean departments, with diversified offerings in prepaid metering, consumer financing, solar energy, and accredited inspection services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Gas Distribution

NAICS

Natural Gas Distribution (22121), Natural Gas Distribution (2212), Natural Gas Distribution (221210)

SIC

Natural Gas Distribution (4924), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Regulated Natural Gas Utility (LDC) Customer Acquisition & Switching (EUAAADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Service Line Maintenance & Repair (Customer Laterals) (EUAJAMAC), Residential Natural Gas Sales & Customer Growth (EUAAADAD), Municipal & Public Gas Utility Sales (EUAAADAE)

Keywords

• Natural gas distribution
• Residential gas services
• Gas utility services
• Prepaid gas metering
• Consumer energy financing

Headquarters

HQ city

Cartagena

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Natural Gas Distribution and Commercialization: Core revenue stream from distributing and commercializing natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Bolívar, Córdoba, Sucre, Antioquia, and Magdalena departments. Revenue is generated through fixed charges, consumption-based charges, connection fees, and contribution fees.
2. Prepaid Gas Metering: Prepaid natural gas consumption system allowing customers to pay in advance, enabling access for populations without traditional billing capacity.
3. Brilla Financing Program: Non-banking financing program (Brilla) that provides credit to customers for gas connections, home improvements, and other needs, generating interest and service fees.
4. Solar Energy Services: Photovoltaic energy generation and installation services diversifying the energy portfolio beyond natural gas.
5. Metrological Laboratory Services: Accredited metrological laboratory providing measurement and calibration services for gas meters and related equipment.
6. Insurance Products: Insurance products offered through the Brilla platform including exequial (burial) and family protection insurance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Surtigas S.A. E.S.P. distributes and commercializes natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across five Colombian departments (Bolívar, Córdoba, Sucre, Nororiente de Antioquia, and Santa Ana in Magdalena). Beyond core gas distribution, the company offers prepaid gas metering, vehicular CNG (GNV), solar energy services, accredited metrological laboratory and inspection services, secondary gas market operations, and a non-banking consumer financing program (Brilla de Surtigas).

Product overview

Surtigas S.A. E.S.P. is a public utility company that distributes and commercializes natural gas across five departments in Colombia (Bolívar, Córdoba, Sucre, Nororiente de Antioquia, and Magdalena). The company's core offering is natural gas distribution for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Beyond its core gas distribution service, Surtigas offers a diversified portfolio including prepaid gas meters (Medidores Prepago), vehicle natural gas (GNV), solar energy, non-banking financing through Brilla de Surtigas, metrological laboratory services, secondary market services, and accredited inspection services. The company also provides digital self-service platforms including a virtual office and mobile applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brilla de Surtigas: Non-banking financing program offering credit services to customers for home improvements, consumer goods, and other needs. Operated via brilladesurtigas.com and brilladesurtigas.com.co. Also includes Seguros Brilla (insurance products: exequial and family protection insurance).
• Gas Natural Vehicular (GNV)
• Laboratorio Metrológico
• Organismo de Inspección

Products and services

• Natural Gas Distribution and Commercialization Distribution and commercialization of natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Bolívar, Córdoba, Sucre, Nororiente de Antioquia, and Santa Ana (Magdalena) departments in Colombia.
• Brilla de Surtigas (Non-Banking Financing) Non-banking credit/financing program that allows Surtigas customers to finance gas connections, home improvements, and other consumer needs through installment payments; also includes Seguros Brilla insurance products (exequial and family protection).
• Gas Natural Vehicular (GNV) Compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling service for vehicles, providing an alternative fuel option for automotive transportation.
• Energía Solar (Solar Energy) Photovoltaic solar energy generation and installation services that diversify the company's energy portfolio beyond natural gas.
• Laboratorio Metrológico Accredited metrological laboratory providing measurement and calibration services for gas meters and related equipment, with ONAC accreditation.
• Organismo de Inspección (Inspection Body) Accredited inspection organism providing conformity certification for gas installations under Colombian technical regulations (NTC).
• Medidores Prepago (Prepaid Gas Meters) Prepaid gas metering system that allows customers to pay for gas consumption in advance, promoting financial inclusion and continuous service for underserved populations.
• Mercado Secundario (Secondary Gas Market) Secondary market services including procedures for creating client agents and selling surpluses to regulated demand.

Quantifiable outcome

• Net profit increased by 24% from $46,587 million COP (2017) to $57,559 million COP (2018)

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brilla (Promigas Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrilla is a non-banking financing program (brilla.com.co) developed within the Promigas Group and offered through Surtigas, enabling customers to finance gas connections and other consumer needs through installment payments.
• KPMGminorOthersKPMG provided financial auditing and certification services for Surtigas bond issuance documentation (Cert. KPMG published December 10, 2013).
• Superintendencia de Servicios Públicos DomiciliarioscoreOthersColombian government regulatory body overseeing public utilities. Surtigas operates under CREG (Comisión de Regulación de Energía y Gas) rate regulation and SSPD supervision as a public utilities company (E.S.P.).
• ONAC (Organismo Nacional de Acreditación de Colombia)minorOthersONAC provides accreditation for Surtigas' metrological laboratory and inspection services, ensuring technical competence and quality standards.
• ICONTEC (Instituto Colombiano de Normas Técnicas y Certificación)minorOthersICONTEC provides certification and standards oversight referenced in Surtigas' technical and quality management frameworks, including Colombian Technical Standards (NTC).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Gases de Occidente: Colombian natural gas distribution utility serving the Valle del Cauca and Cauca regions. Operates under identical CREG regulatory framework with comparable residential, commercial, and industrial service mix.
• Gases del Caribe: Colombian natural gas distribution company serving the Caribbean coastal region, the most direct geographic and product peer to Surtigas. Both operate under the same CREG regulatory framework and serve overlapping residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
• Vanti: One of the largest natural gas distribution companies in Colombia (formerly Gas Natural), serving millions of customers across multiple departments. Direct competitor in the regulated LDC space with overlapping customer segments and product offerings.
• Efigas: Natural gas distribution company in the Eje Cafetero and other Colombian regions. Direct regulated LDC peer with similar tariff structure, customer segments, and operational model to Surtigas.
• Alcanos de Colombia: Colombian natural gas distribution utility operating in several departments. Closely comparable to Surtigas in scale, customer mix, and regulatory environment as a regulated CREG-supervised E.S.P.
• Gas Cundiboyacense: Natural gas distribution company serving the Cundinamarca and Boyacá departments. Regulated LDC with the same product offering and CREG oversight, providing a comparable benchmark for operational efficiency and customer base scale.

Broad incumbents

• Promigas: Parent/sister group of Surtigas and one of the largest energy infrastructure operators in Latin America, with gas transmission and distribution across multiple countries. Provides group-level benchmarks and shared services relevant to Surtigas.
• Naturgy (formerly Gas Natural Fenosa): Multinational gas and electric utility with Colombian gas distribution operations. Operates broader portfolio across multiple geographies and segments, making it a broad incumbent comparable for scale and regulatory sophistication.
• EPM (Empresas Públicas de Medellín): Large multi-utility providing gas, electricity, water, and sanitation services in Colombia. Overlaps with Surtigas in the gas distribution business and provides a broader benchmark for a diversified Colombian regulated utility.

Regional players

• Gases del Sur: Natural gas distribution company focused on southern Colombian departments. Comparable regulated LDC business model and product mix, but operates in a non-overlapping geography, making it a relevant regional benchmark rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/fundacionsurtigas
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surtigas
• Instagraminstagram.com/surtigas.oficial?igsh=ZW55bnZjOWZocTM5

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Surtigas