Petroecuador reported that as of 19:20 on February 28, 2023. HE started the process of starting crude oil pumping by the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE), after the completion of preventive works and works to secure this transport infrastructure due to the fracture of the bridge over the Marker River and the instability of the ground and the H-frame that supported the structure, in the province of Napo.

The general director(s) of EP Petroecuador, María Elisa Soledispa, he thanked for the timely work performed by the company’s technicians together with the Army Corps of Engineers staff, the result of which enabled the work to progress in less than seven days in the expected time despite unfavorable weather conditions in the area.

Indian that SOTE currently pumps 13,750 barrels per hour, Therefore, in the next few hours, a gradual continuation is expected in the wells that were shut down in the Amazonian fields after the declaration of force majeure.

If Shushufindi-Quito polyduct, works continue provide its own pipeline, which will be located under SOTE in order to use the already installed infrastructure. These works are progressing more than 40% and it is expected that work and fuel pumping will continue From this Friday, March 3.

Likewise, when these preventive tasks are completed, the eighth version of SOTE and the sixth polyduct will be built on the mountain, in order to ensure the continuity of work and prevent them from being affected by situations related to the increase in flow on the Marker River.

Petroecuador he also reported that both the well flaring process and the export process, which had been halted due to the interruption of pumping, would continue gradually.

The problem in the Marker River occurred on February 22, and after the SOTE and OCP pipelines and the Shushufindi-Quito polyduct were stopped, the Ministry of Energy had to declare force majeure and crude oil deliveries abroad had to be delayed.

There is still no official communication about the continuation of OCP work.