Fire Halts Production at Ecuador’s Largest Oil Refinery

A fuel tank fire at Ecuador’s Esmeraldas refinery halted production, leading to evacuations. No serious injuries were reported, although community concerns persist. The government assured fuel supply continuity despite past disruptions in oil production due to pipeline leaks and power cuts.

A fire in a fuel tank at Ecuador’s largest oil refinery has resulted in a complete shutdown of production, prompted by safety concerns and the need to evacuate nearby residents. The incident occurred on Monday at the refinery in Esmeraldas province, which has the capacity to refine 110,000 barrels of oil per day. The state oil company, Petroecuador, stated that this decision was made to ensure the safety of both the facilities and personnel on-site.

Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries due to the blaze. However, five individuals did receive medical treatment for minor smoke inhalation. An AFP journalist observed the site, where soldiers and refinery staff had cordoned off the area, evacuating workers in a precautionary measure. Local police also assisted in evacuating residents from the vicinity, though they did not disclose the number of people evacuated.

Details regarding the cause of the fire remain unclear, as officials continue to investigate. Energy Minister Ines Manzano assured the public via a post on X that the situation was “under control,” but this declaration has done little to ease the worries among local inhabitants. Ramiro Medina, a refinery worker, recounted a moment of panic, describing how a loud noise prompted everyone to flee.

Community representative Edgar Romero voiced his concerns about the situation, noting, “What is happening now is quite worrying,” and expressed the need for prompt action from authorities to ensure safety. He added that upon smelling a gasoline odor, residents initially thought the source was from a nearby school undergoing fumigation.

In light of the fire, Petroecuador did not disclose how much fuel was present in the tank at the time it ignited. It’s worth noting that Ecuador is a significant oil producer in South America, heavily depending on petroleum exports for its economy. In 2024, the country had an output of approximately 475,000 crude barrels per day, with earnings from oil exports reaching $8.6 billion.

However, the oil production faced challenges last year due to repeated power outages linked to severe drought conditions that have caused reservoir levels to fall to historic lows. Additionally, a major fuel pipeline leak in March resulted in over 25,000 barrels spilled into nearby rivers, disrupting oil shipments yet again.

Ecuador operates two additional refineries with capacities of 45,000 and 20,000 barrels per day respectively. Despite the ongoing fire at the Esmeraldas facility, the government reassured citizens that “the supply of fuel is completely guaranteed throughout the country.”

In summary, a fire at Ecuador’s largest oil refinery has led to a complete halt of operations and the evacuation of nearby residents. While no injuries were reported, community concerns remain high given the history of production disruptions in the country. The government has assured citizens that fuel supply will continue unabated despite this incident. The investigation into the fire is ongoing, with officials yet to determine its cause.

Original Source: www.cp24.com