The OCP breaks for the second time in less than two months

A little more than a month after the previous rupture of the pipeline, there are again problems in the Piedra Fina area.

A rockfall caused by the weakening of the soil due to heavy rains in the area of Fine stonein the Amazon, caused this January 28, 2022 the break of the Heavy Crude Oil Pipeline (OCP).

Once the incident was confirmed, the company activated its emergency protocol and began containment actions aimed at avoiding environmental damage, and also to assess the magnitude of the damage to the infrastructure, as well as the start of the corresponding repairs.

OCP confirmed that the receipt of raw nor the exports of the same. The company’s specialized personnel are in the area carrying out repair.

According to an official statement, the break It was recorded in an area where the tube is not directly exposed to rivers. It is ensured that the leak of oil is controlled and that work is being done to avoid any risk of it reaching water sources.

Equally, OCP Ecuador assured that it has duly informed the authorities of the National Government and the Province of Napo and is working in coordination with them.

“The event caused by the fall of rocks on the tube of the Heavy Crude Oil Pipeline occurred at 5:06 p.m. on January 28 of this year in the sector of Fine stone, an event that could not have been foreseen by the oil carrier. All the corresponding measures have been arranged to prevent any environmental damage and for this it has arranged all the necessary resources to fulfill said commitment”, said Roberto Grijalva Operations Manager of OCP Ecuador.

On December 10, 2021, the regressive erosion problems of the Coca River resulted in a break in the same pipeline. On that occasion the pumping of raw was completely paralyzed and a seventh variant had to be built for that infrastructure.

Government also takes measures

For its part, the Government announced that technicians and machinery from Petroecuador have traveled to the Fine stone to support contingency tasks.

Likewise, he recalled that, as part of the contract he has with OCP For oil transportation, there is an insurance policy for civil liability and environmental damage to cover this type of event.

“It is important to indicate that the reception of raw not even exports scheduled. Likewise, the operations of Petroecuador in the Trans-Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline System (SOTE) and the Shushufindi-Quito Pipeline are carried out with complete normality”, pointed out the Communication Secretariat of the Presidency.

So far notification has been made to OCP to present the respective emerging plan and the survey and monitoring of affected environmental and social components. For this, the presence of an accredited laboratory has been arranged.

“The Ministry will guarantee that the contingency cleaning and remediation activities due to the emergency are carried out in strict accordance with environmental regulations. Additionally, Table 1 of the COE Napo has been activated to guarantee the quality and quantity of water necessary for the population of the province,” the Government stressed. (JS)

????#URGENT We denounce a new oil spill on the banks of the Coca River, AGAIN a rupture of the OCP.
we demand to @RecNaturalesEC @Ambiente_Ec @OCPEcuador @DEFENSORIAEC @DDHH_Ec take action on the matter. pic.twitter.com/P1I8gXKGWq

— Ecological Action (@AcEcologica) January 29, 2022