BOGOTA, May 20 (Reuters) - Colombia's environment

ministry has cleared the exploratory phase of the Nereidas

geothermal project, led by Ecopetrol, Baker Hughes and a unit of

Grupo EPM, it said on Wednesday.

The project represents the first major geothermal

exploration initiative in the South American country and is

located in the Ruiz Volcanic Massif in the department of Caldas.

The ministry also issued new resolutions establishing

environmental terms for geothermal energy exploration and

exploitation projects in the country.