A few minutes ago, the Ministry of Energy declared force majeure for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation operators affected by the transportation of hydrocarbons through the SOTE, OCP and Shushufindi Quito pipeline systems, due to the impossibility of receiving and transporting crude oil.

The letter was signed by the branch’s deputy minister, Rubén Darío Espín. This is a measure announced already this morning by the Minister of Energy, Fernando Santos Alvite, after the suspension of the pumping of the two main oil pipelines, SOTE (managed by Petroecuador) and OCP (managed by a private company of the same name) and the Shushufindi Quito polyduct, due to the risk of their breaking when they were ceded the base of the bridge on the Marker River and those pipelines. The minister has already announced that due to the problem, the logical consequence would be the cessation of crude oil exports. Currently stored oil will serve more for self-sufficiency, which is why he ruled out a crude oil shortage. As the days go by and as the storage capacities in the Amazon fill up, the wells will also disappear.

The statement shows that the request for the declaration of force majeure was submitted by the manager of Petroecuador, María Elisa Soledispa, and the vice president of the OCP.

The Ministry also indicated that Petroecuador must submit to the Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources a report on the economic impact of the event on production, processing (effect on the operation of the Shushufindi CIS refinery), oil marketing, if applicable. The OCP company is also obliged to inform the Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Resources and the Agency for Regulation and Control of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources in a timely manner and with appropriate notification, the day and time of resumption of work, implementation of relevant technical, logistical and operational coordination

Meanwhile, it was announced that this afternoon Petroecuador has already released eight thousand gallons of fuel from the Shushufindi – Quito polyduct, leaving this transport line free of risk. Thus, the oil from SOTE will be removed tomorrow morning, with a crane and a sealed procedure. The tasks are checked by Petroecuador General Manager María Elisa Soledispa and a technical team that visited the area affected by the rupture of the bridge over the Marker River in the province of Napo.

The collapse of the bridge exposed the transportation system of crude oil and derivatives in the country.

A snapshot of the state of the pipeline at risk in the Marker River. Courtesy of Petroecuador Photo: Space

Additionally, María Elisa Soledispa indicated that it is currently estimated that it will take seven days to continue pumping oil and fuel. Currently, specialized equipment has been deployed to the site, as well as personnel from the company and the Army Corps of Engineers for emergency work in this area.

Soledispa also spoke with representatives of OCP Ecuador, which also suspended pumping in order to coordinate joint actions to overcome this emergency situation. Also, the director listened to the workers and thanked them for their dedicated work for the benefit of the company and the state.

This morning, Energy Minister Fernando Santos Alvite reported that crude oil stored in Balao and in tanks in the Amazon will be used for domestic supply, which is why he ruled out fuel shortages. He also said the pipes are being drained to prevent oil from spilling in the event of a rupture.