With this decision, the pumping and export of crude will resume, reported Petroecuador.
The Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources lifted the force majeure for the oil companies, which was declared on December 12, 2021, due to the paralysis of the pipelines affected by regressive erosion in the Piedra Fina river, in Napo.
Petroecuador reported that the decision was made on January 5, 2022, through resolution MERNNR-VH-2022-001-RM.
“This resolution was issued once the transportation systems of the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) and the Heavy Crude Oil Pipeline (OCP) are technically operational for the reception and transportation of crude, from the stations located in Lago Agrio to the export terminals in Esmeraldas ”, reads the statement released by the state oil company.
Government declares force majeure in oil sector due to regressive erosion
In this sense, Petroecuador and OCP Ecuador notified that the emergency was overcome. The companies presented technical reports detailing the gradual recovery of crude production volumes and the reestablishment of operations in the hydrocarbon value chain.
Once the force majeure is lifted, the oil delivery schedule will be resumed, from the Amazon to the Balao and Punta Gorda maritime terminals, located in Esmeraldas, in order to restart the export processes and comply with the contracts.
The Petroecuador statement indicates that the Ministry of Energy has already notified the new resolution to public and private oil companies, so that operations can be normalized and reactivate Oriente and Napo crude exports. (I)
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