Ecuador Oil Pipeline Restarts 4 Days After Fire
Ecuador's main oil pipeline is pumping again four days after a fire, restoring crude for refineries and exports that bring US dollars into the economy. The post Ecuador Oil Pipeline Restarts 4 Days After Fire appeared first on The Rio Times .
On Monday 5 October, Ecuador's main oil pipeline, known as the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System or SOTE, restarted operations for the first time since a fire shut it down four days prior. The pipeline, operated by state oil company Petroecuador, carries most of the country's crude oil and plays a crucial role in the Ecuadorian economy as it facilitates crude exports to the United States.
The fire broke out on Thursday 1 October at Pumping Station No. 4 in Baeza, a town located in Napo province on the eastern slopes of the Andes. Petroecuador declared force majeure, citing the emergency situation caused by the fire. The company had initially estimated that the restart could take up to six days, and the Monday restart successfully met this timeline.
Petroecuador reported that it had carried out its contingency plan, recovering five pumping units and reactivating flow along the entire pipeline. This restoration restores transport capacity of up to 220,000 barrels a day, allowing crude delivery to the country's three refineries and oil exports. The company plans to add one more pumping unit by Wednesday 7 October to increase the capacity to over 270,000 barrels a day.
During the shutdown, Petroecuador's output traveled through the Heavy Crude Pipeline (OCP), ensuring the smooth running of the entire oil supply chain. The fire had a significant impact on Ecuador's oil production. From January to August 2026, the pipeline averaged 303,265 barrels a day, accounting for about 70% of the country's oil production. With the line closed, Petroecuador had to reduce output, falling below 320,000 barrels a day by Sunday 4 October, compared to approximately 365,000 barrels before the fire.
US imports of Ecuadorian crude averaged 98,000 barrels a day in 2025, down from 169,000 barrels in 2020. This decline in imports can be attributed to the pipeline outage. Ecuador has no currency of its own, using the US dollar since adopting it in 2000. Export earnings, mainly through crude oil sales, keep dollars circulating in the economy.
Petroecuador has not disclosed the exact cause of the fire or the estimated cost of repairs and lost production. However, they are conducting technical analyses to determine the root cause of the incident. Security at oil installations has been stepped up under the government of President Daniel Noboa, who took office in October 2023.
The restart of the pipeline brings some relief to investors and fuel traders, easing concerns about prolonged outages. However, the capacity remains below the pre-fire average, and export volumes may still be lower until the pipeline reaches full strength.
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