EP Petroecuador announced that actions were initiated to improve fuel self-sufficiency in the oil fields from block 16 (formerly managed by Repsol/Petrolia and now in the hands of the state company). This through the first tests to increase the load in the topping plant, atmospheric distillation unit, of Block 16 located in the Northern Production Facilities (NPF) area, in Orellana, with a processing capacity of 7,200 barrels of crude oil per day.
The actions are carried out, despite the fact that the company currently has to face problems due to a stoppage and impediment of land access to block 16 (which has been going on for 36 days), by the Waoroni indigenous community of Dicaro. The indigenous protest occurs because, according to the protesters, there has not been a prior consultation for the oil exploitation that has been present in that territory for 38 years. They also ask for the delivery of basic services, but also a series of bonds to allow oil exploitation.
Petroecuador, in its bulletin, did not make any pronouncement on the problems with the Waorani community.
Meanwhile, he did say that the operational measures announced will allow the company to generate fuel to supply the oil fields, and also by using products treated in this plant, The import amounts of fuels and transportation expenses will be reduced.
This will reduce the operating costs of the state oil company to obtain diesel at a lower cost, in addition to maximizing the use of facilities, treating certain volumes of light crude oil and maintaining safe transport conditions from NPF to the Heavy Crude Oil Pipeline – OCP.
Part of the strategy is that the technicians EP Petroecuador will increase the delivery of crude (26 degrees API) from Shushufindi, in Sucumbíos, to improve the pumping capacity of Block 16 crude, where 14 degree API crude is extracted and also diesel and reduced crude oil are generated, hydrocarbons that will be used to supply the company’s fields, as is the case of Block 43-ITT, also located in Orellana.
The topping plant is part of the first stage of oil refining and produces gases, light naphtha, heavy naphtha, Diesel and reduced crude oil. EP Petroecuador assumed the operation of Blocks 16 and 67 on January 1, once the contractual term for said blocks ended and the National Government decided to revert to the State.
Meanwhile The Waorani community of Dicaro published another statement on Tuesday in which it regrets that Petroecuador has not responded to their requests and has instead accused them of sabotage and has initiated legal actions in the Orellana Prosecutor’s Office. This is because on January 28, Petroecuador warned that it had suffered sabotage that had an impact on the drop in oil production and mentioned that this had been caused by the Waorani Dicaro community.
On the subject, they said they do not doubt that the Prosecutor’s Office and the authorities will act quickly to criminalize the protest.: “Justice and its authorities have only served to persecute the people who claim their rights.”
Too indicate that the Ministry of Energy and the Interior have said that they will meet the requirements of the indigenous people from February 8 to 10, after the elections. However, they said that “any attention, dialogue and answers can only be in our community territory with the due guarantee of compliance, without pressure of criminalization.”
For the indigenous community, It is unusual that Petroecuador accuses them of sabotage and then the government and the Ministry invite them to dialogue.
Source: Eluniverso
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