Background on Ecuador’s Petroecuador and its Significance
Ecuador’s primary oil refinery, Petroecuador, is located in the port city of Esmeraldas on the country’s northwest coast. This refinery has a daily crude oil processing capacity of 110,000 barrels (bd). Petroleum is Ecuador’s principal export product, generating $8.647 billion in 2023 from the production of approximately 475,000 bd. Seventy-three percent of this crude oil was sold.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
On Monday, Petroecuador’s refinery temporarily halted operations due to a fire in one of its fuel oil storage tanks. The Minister of Energy, Inés Manzano, confirmed that the fire was under control and stated that no fatalities had occurred.
- Immediate Actions: Five individuals received minor attention due to exposure to smoke, while military personnel and refinery workers secured the area to ensure safety and facilitate emergency vehicle access.
- Evacuation: Following the fire, the emergency protocol was activated, and workers were evacuated from the area as a precaution.
- Community Impact: The massive flames and smoke alarmed nearby residents, with some reporting the smell of gasoline.
Historical Context and Previous Incidents
Esmeraldas, the capital of its namesake province bordering Colombia, experienced a significant earthquake in April that destroyed around thirty buildings. In March, a state oil pipeline rupture caused over 25,000 barrels of crude oil to spill into three rivers in the impoverished province, leading to what is considered one of Ecuador’s worst oil spills in recent years.
This history of incidents highlights the vulnerability of Ecuador’s oil infrastructure and its impact on both local communities and the environment.
Refinery Operations and Capabilities
Ecuador operates three refineries, including the one in Esmeraldas. The other two are located in La Libertad (southwest) with a capacity of 45,000 bd and Shushufindi (northeast) with a capacity of 20,000 bd. These refineries produce gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and cooking gas.
Key Questions and Answers
- What happened? A fire broke out in a fuel oil storage tank at Petroecuador’s main refinery in Esmeraldas, causing temporary suspension of operations.
- Were there any casualties? No fatalities were reported, though five individuals received minor attention for smoke exposure.
- What is the refinery’s capacity? The Esmeraldas refinery can process 110,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
- What are Ecuador’s other refineries’ capacities? The refinery in La Libertad has a capacity of 45,000 bd, and the one in Shushufindi can process 20,000 bd.
- Why is this incident significant? This event adds to a history of oil-related incidents in Ecuador, raising concerns about the safety and sustainability of its oil infrastructure.
