Petroecuador Declares Force Majeure Amidst Catastrophic Oil Spill
Ecuador’s Petroecuador declared force majeure on March 18, 2025, following a catastrophic oil spill from a ruptured pipeline caused by a landslide on March 13. The incident has severely contaminated the Esmeraldas River, affecting over 500,000 individuals and prompting a state of emergency. The company has suspended Oriente crude exports while emergency measures aim to alleviate the repercussions of this environmental disaster.
On March 18, 2025, Ecuador’s state oil company, Petroecuador, declared force majeure concerning its Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) following a significant oil spill that commenced on March 13. This incident was instigated by a landslide that ruptured the pipeline, leading to the contamination of the Esmeraldas River and adversely affecting over 500,000 residents who are now facing a critical water crisis.
The landslide, induced by heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions, has tragic implications, including the reported deaths of 20 individuals as of March 19. In response to the disaster, Petroecuador has suspended the exports of Oriente crude, one of its primary oil varieties, claiming the force majeure clause to avoid penalties related to contract breaches.
The emergency declaration is set to last for a maximum of 60 days, aimed at directing resources to alleviate the repercussions of this event on hydrocarbon exploration, production, transportation, and marketing. The spill and associated landslides have led to severe flooding across western Ecuador, significantly affecting several provinces, including Manabí, Guayas, and Esmeraldas.
Data from the National Secretariat of Risk Management (SGR) reported that as of March 19, the disaster had resulted in 20 fatalities, 6 missing individuals, 95 injuries, and 308 evacuees, with a total of 108,227 people impacted. Moreover, nearly 30,000 homes suffered damage, contributing to a widespread humanitarian crisis.
The oil spill, which extends over a 32-kilometer stretch and affects multiple rivers, raised significant ecological concerns, leading to an environmental emergency being declared in Esmeraldas province and the Mangroves Estuary River Wildlife Refuge, home to over 250 species. While Petroecuador has not specified the volume of oil released, estimates suggest that the spill amounts to approximately 200,000 barrels.
In light of the crisis, Petroecuador has mobilized tanker trucks to recover the spilled crude and has initiated the distribution of drinking water to impacted communities. Authorities have enforced temporary beach closures due to pollution, and marine biologist Eduardo Rebolledo highlighted the dire ecological ramifications, stating that there are “no life forms in the water” of the affected rivers, undermining the ecosystem’s health.
The catastrophic oil spill in Ecuador marks a severe environmental and humanitarian crisis, prompting Petroecuador to invoke force majeure. The event, resulting from a landslide caused by intense rainfall, has lead to widespread contamination, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents and leading to significant ecological damage. Emergency measures have been enacted to mitigate the spill’s impact while addressing the urgent needs of affected communities.
Original Source: watchers.news
