Petroecuador reported that their SOTE and Poliducto operations are normal, but they remain vigilant
Private company OCP Ecuador, concessionaire of the Heavy Crude Oil Pipeline (OCP) announced that, given the advance of regressive erosion to the Piedra Fina area (Napo province), oil drainage began and has taken the preventive measure of suspending pumping from today at 9:35 a.m.
The company explained that the special machinery, as well as the technical personnel had been sent to the area in advance in anticipation that the drainage actions would be necessary to carry out. It is estimated that this procedure will be completed this Wednesday after 10 hours of work. “The stoppage of pumping will not affect the export or normal reception of Ecuadorian oil,” said the company.
This weekend, the natural phenomenon of Regressive erosion reached the Piedra Fina riverbed and threatens to destabilize the E45 highway that connects Quito with Lago Agrio, as well as the pipeline system in the area. In immediate response, OCP Ecuador began preventive tasks that include 24-hour on-site monitoring. In the same way, the construction of the temporary bypass that will be 300 meters long and it is estimated that it will be completed in 15 days began.
The area has been declared of “Priority attention for OCP Ecuador and has immediately mobilized all the necessary resources to attend to the emergency”.
“Regressive erosion on the Quijos River is a natural phenomenon that has been advancing in an unpredictable way for more than a year, during which time we have built 8 temporary bypasses, 2 definitive variants and an additional variant which is under construction. We work tirelessly to ensure the integrity of the pipeline and continuity of the public oil transportation service. ”, said Roberto Grijalva, Operations manager.
Meanwhile, EP Petroecuador reported that the operations of the Shushufindi Quito pipeline and the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) are normal. At the moment, the technical staff of EP Petroecuador continues with permanent monitoring to protect the infrastructure of the SOTE and the Poliducto against the natural phenomenon, considered unique in the world and that affects the Quijos River.
Petroecuador reported that its monitoring team will be joined by specialized professionals who will provide this 24-hour monitoring.
Regressive erosion caused the SOTE and OCP pipelines to rupture in April 2020. Now you are 7.9 kilometers from the catchment works of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, and threatens this infrastructure.
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