This December 28, Petroecuador qualified and declared force majeure in the Ishpingo field, located in block 43 of the ITT, in the province of Orellana. This is due to the paralysis that the Kawymeno Waorani community has been maintaining since last December 25th. As far as is known, the community that was against the closure of the block is now protesting because certain agreements of the state in favor of the community would not be fulfilled. Petroecuador has been trying to negotiate a solution to the protests in the past few days, but so far without success.
In this sense, the decision to declare force majeure was made on the basis of technical and legal reports because this measure affects the normal development of operational activities, plants and hydrocarbon infrastructure, which is considered strategic for the state of Ecuador.
According to Petroecuador, the current suspension has caused a reduction of about 17,000 barrels of oil per day, since December 27, causing economic damage to the country, mainly due to the lack of availability of Napo Crude for export and contractual obligations. .
According to the Agency for the Regulation and Control of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources (Arcernnr), Petroecuador’s production has declined due to this interruption. While in the first days of December, crude oil production of 302,000 barrels was recorded from the state company alone, this December 28 it amounted to 386,383 barrels, that is, almost 16,000 barrels less. Only the ITT block, which used to produce 55,000 barrels, now produces 38,650 barrels, or 16,350 less.
Meanwhile, EP Petroecuador reported that it has activated an operational logistics contingency plan to address this contingency, protect and ensure the continuity of the public company’s activities throughout the value chain. He also immediately informed the contracting companies, in accordance with the provisions of the contract, and the ministries of energy and environmental protection, the Agency for Regulation and Supervision of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources, and the EP management board. Petroecuador.
The duration of the declaration of force majeure will depend on the dialogue process and the agreements reached with the community.
Source: Eluniverso
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