Colombia Seeks Emergency Fuel Supply From Ecuador

Instant Max AI

(Argus, 19.Mar.2019) — Colombia’s government is seeking emergency fuel supplies from neighboring Ecuador to cope with shortages in southwestern departments caused by an ongoing indigenous protest.

Colombia reached out to Ecuador’s oil ministry and state-owned PetroEcuador to set up an extraordinary mechanism to provide at least 150,000 USG/d of diesel, 235,000 USG/d of gasoline and 140,000 USG/d of LPG for the next 10 days, Colombia’s mines and energy ministry said.

The protest that started on 12 March is blocking the Pan-American highway and other key arteries, affecting fuel and food supply in the Colombian departments of Cauca, Narino and Putumayo.

There was no immediate response from Ecuador on the fuel supply request. PetroEcuador’s main 110,000 b/d Esmeraldas refinery is currently undergoing a turnaround.

The Colombian ministry said the fuel supply from Ecuador is one of several measures aimed at alleviating the shortages. An effort is also underway to find larger capacity fuel tankers to supply the Pacific port of Tumaco in southern Colombia.

The ministry has also authorized Ecopetrol to transport fuel to storage in Tumaco to facilitate wholesale distribution.

The indigenous protesters are seeking more government resources to support their communities. President Ivan Duque is calling for an end to the roadblocks and appointed four regional governors to serve as interlocutors with community leaders.

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