(Energy Analytics Institute, 29.Oct.2020) — Ecuador eyes suspending spot sales of crude oil during 2021 and 2022 with the aim of resuming them in 2023, daily newspaper El Universo reported on 29 October 2020, citing comments from the country’s Deputy Hydrocarbons Minister María Eliza Soledispa. The announcement comes as the […]
Category: Ecuador
Ecuador energy
Ecuador Ends Maintenance At Shushufindi Gas Plant
(Energy Analytics Institute, 28.Oct.2020) — EP PetroEcuador finalized scheduled maintenance at the Shushufindi Gas Plant located in the Sucumbíos province. Work activities took place over 14 days and included an integral revision of the rotating and static equipment at the plant to guarantee operational safety and maintain production at its […]
EP PetroEcuador Restarts Activities At SOTE
(Energy Analytics Institute, 18.Oct.2020) — EP PetroEcuador restarted operations at the 360,000 barrel per day capacity Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE by its Spanish acronym) after completion of construction works on the fourth variant on the pipeline. The variant, of 735 meters in length, was installed at kilometer 95 + 400 […]
EP PetroEcuador Initiates ISO Certification Process
(Energy Analytics Institute, 12.Oct.2020) — EP PetroEcuador initiated the ISO 37001 certification process for an anti-bribery management system, which in its initial stage targets the contracting and purchasing processes at the national level. The system also aims to prevent, detect, and combat bribery by establishing a culture of integrity, transparency, […]
Q&A: Ecuador Moving From Crisis To Opportunity
(Argus, 8.Oct.2020) — Since leaving Opec in January, Ecuador has been hit by oil market shocks, the Covid-19 pandemic, oil pipeline ruptures, and a staggering legacy of corruption in the state-owned oil industry. Quito is now looking to the private sector to transform the fuels market, and to Beijing for […]
Ecuador To Ink China Oil-backed Loan In Nov.: Ortiz
(Argus, 7.Oct.2020) — Ecuador hopes to sign a new $1.4bn oil-backed sovereign credit agreement with China next month that would restructure existing loans and encourage competition among Chinese oil trading companies, Ecuadorean oil minister René Ortiz told Argus. The fresh Chinese loan would complement Ecuador’s recent $17bn bond debt structuring […]
Ecuador Sues Odebrecht For $281mn Breach Of Contract
(Energy Analytics Institute, 7.Oct.2020) — Ecuador is suing CNO SA, formerly known as Construtura Norberto Odebrecht SA, for $281mn for breach of the construction contract for the pipeline Pascuales Cuenca Poliducto (PPC). The Guayas Provincial Court of Justice, EP PetroEcuador, through its General Manager Ricardo Merino, and the State Attorney […]
Ecuador Names New Deputy Mines Minister
(Energy Analytics Institute, 6.Oct.2020) — Ecuador’s Minister of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources René Ortiz commissioned César Vásquez as the country’s Deputy Minister of Mines. Vásquez is a mining engineer from the Central University of Ecuador and has more than 12 years of experience in the country’s mining and electricity […]
IMF OKs $6.5bn Extended Facility For Ecuador
(IMF, 1.Oct.2020) — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a 27-month extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Ecuador, with access equivalent to SDR 4.615bn (661% of quota, equivalent of $6.5bn). The Board’s approval allows for an immediate disbursement equivalent to $2bn, available to […]
Ecuador Awaits Refinery Bids In December
(Argus, 23.Sep.2020) — Ecuador will receive bids to operate its 110,000 b/d Esmeraldas refinery on 22 December, a process that marks the end of state-owned PetroEcuador’s downstream monopoly in the former Opec country. In a tender timeline issued by the energy and non-renewable natural resources ministry, the refinery contract will […]
Ex-Vitol Trader Indicted In US Probe Of Ecuador Bribes
(Bloomberg, 22.Sep.2020) — A former manager at Vitol Group, the world’s largest independent oil-trading firm, was indicted for allegedly bribing Ecuadorian government officials to get business for his firm with state-owned Petroecuador. The case, part of a broad U.S. probe into bribes paid to South American officials, is the latest […]
Ecuador To Invest $1.2mn In El Cantón Arajuno Projects
(Energy Analytics Institute, 11.Sep.2020) — Authorities from Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources (MENRNR) and the autonomous decentralized government of Arajuno announced development of electrical infrastructure in the region with an approximate investment of $1.2mn. The infrastructure will benefit around 1,200 residents of the communities of San Virgilio, […]
Ecuador Announces PPS For Renewable Projects
(Energy Analytics Institute, 8.Sep.2020) — Ecuador revealed details of a public selection process (PPS) for a private sector concession for a block of non-conventional renewable energy projects, also known as ERNC by its Spanish acronym, with a potential of 200 megawatts (MW). Private investment of up to $300mn is expected, […]
New NW Operating Center To Service Over 50,000 Users
(Energy Analytics Institute, 7.Sep.2020) — The Quito Electric Company (EEQ by its Spanish acronym) announced initial operations on 7 September 2020 at the Northwest Operation Center and Los Bancos Agency to the benefit of more than 50,000 users in towns such as Nanegalito, Nono, Nanegal, Pacto, Gualea and Pedro Vicente […]
Ecuador Briefs: MENRNR Appointments
(Energy Analytics Institute, 2.Sep.2020) — Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources (MENRNR) announced new appointments at EP PetroEcuador and SCAN. Merino Avendaño Appointed New EP PetroEcuador General Manger (Energy Analytics Institute, 2.Sep.2020) — The Board of Directors of EP PetroEcuador and René Ortiz Durán, the chair of Ecuador’s […]
Ecuador’s Oil Output At 512,439 B/d: MERNNR
(Energy Analytics Institute, 1.Sep.2020) — South America’s Ecuador, formerly a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), announced production of crude oil reached 512,439 barrels per day on the first day of September 2020. Of the production, PetroAmazonas accounted for 410,104 b/d or 80% of total production while […]
Ecuador Announces Date Of Consent Solicitation
(Ecuadorian Government, 28.Aug.2020) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced today that it had reached a staff-level agreement on a new funded program for the Republic of Ecuador. Accordingly, the IMF Condition to settle the Republic’s Consent Solicitation and Invitation to Exchange has been satisfied. The Republic announced that it is […]
EP PetroEcuador And PetroAmazonas EP To Merge
(Energy Analytics Institute, 28.Aug.2020) — Ecuador’s state oil and gas entities EP PetroEcuador and PetroAmazonas EP have been given the go ahead for a merger that will go into effect 1 January 2021. The deal will be executed with respect for all the obligations and contractual commitments acquired by the […]
EP PetroEcuador Closes 4th Spot Sale For Napo Oil
(Energy Analytics Institute, 26.Aug.2020) — EP PetroEcuador held the last spot tender of the year, and in so doing awarded the export of 5,400,000 +/- 5% barrels of Napo crude oil of 17-degree API to Unipec América Inc., which presented the best offer with a spread of (-$4.68 per barrel). […]
EP PetroEcuador Awards Import Of NAO RON 93
(Energy Analytics Institute, 25.Aug.2020) — EP PetroEcuador awarded the importation of 2,950,000 barrels of High-Octane Naphtha (NAO) RON 93 to Trafigura Pte, which won the auction offering a differential of +$7.06 per barrel. Of the 44 companies invited to the international auction on 18 August 2020, three offers were received […]
EP PetroEcuador Exports Industrial Residue To France
(Energy Analytics Institute, 18.Aug.2020) — EP PetroEcuador exported tons of industrial waste from the Esmeraldas Refinery for final disposal at treatment plants in France and with all the necessary permits and under strict security protocols. “It has been intense work to achieve export of this waste,” announced PetroEcuador general manager […]
MENRNR Authorizes Cos. For Conolophus Project
(Energy Analytics Institute, 17.Aug.2020) — The technical commission delegated by Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources (MENRNR) to carry out the public selection process (PPS) of the Conolophus project, authorized participation of five international companies and/or associations including Canadian Solar Conolophus, Gransolar-Total EREN, Voltalia SA, Woojin Industrial Systems […]
EP PetroEcuador Obtains Permits From MAAE
(Energy Analytics Institute, 15.Aug.2020) — EP PetroEcuador, through the Suez-Ecuambiente consortium, obtained cross-border permits from Panama and France, as well as authorization from the Ministry of the Environment and Water (MAAE by its Spanish acronym) for the export of more than 3,000 tons of industrial waste comprised mainly of caustic […]
Trafigura Wins Tender For 6.5 MMbbls Of Oriente Oil
(Energy Analytics Institute, 14.Aug.2020) — Ecuador’s state oil company EP PetroEcuador awarded the third spot market sale of 2020 for a volume of 6,480,000 barrels of Oriente crude oil of approximately 24-degree API, to Trafigura PTE LTD. Trafigura won the bid with a per barrel differential of -$3.33, EP PetroEcuador […]
Officials From Ecuador And US Discuss Investments Ops
(Energy Analytics Institute, 31.Jul.2020) — Ecuador’s hydrocarbon ministry head René Ortiz and other authorities from Ecuador’s energy sector held a working meeting 28 July 2020 with the US assistant secretary of state for energy resources, Francis R. Fannon and ambassador Michael Fitzpatrick, during which they analyzed investment prospects and mechanisms […]
Argentine Court Rejects Ecuadorian Judgment Against Chevron
(Chevron, 31.Jul.2020) — Argentina’s highest court unanimously rejected the plaintiffs’ final bid to enforce a fraudulent $9.5 billion Ecuadorian judgment against Chevron Corporation. This is the latest in a string of legal victories in Chevron’s global defense against the Ecuadorian judgment—found by U.S. courts to be the product of fraud, […]
Centro Sur Reveals Second Phase Of La Troncal Project
(Energy Analytics Institute, 30.Jul.2020) — Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources (MERNNR by its Spanish acronym), through Empresa Eléctrica Regional Centro Sur CA (CentroSur), delivered to the market the second stage of Substation 50 – La Troncal. The second stage of this substation came online in September 2019, […]
PetroAmazonas Reduces Activities In Block 43-ITT
(Energy Analytics Institute, 29.Jul.2020) — PetroAmazonas EP will reduce its work capacity by 30% in Block 43–ITT (Ishpingo, Tambococha, Tiputini), located in Orellana province, for 45 days. The decision was made to preserve the health of employees and collaborators during the Covid-19 pandemic, PetroAmazonas General Manager Juan Carlos Bermeo Calderón […]
Ecuador Eyes Its First LNG Import Terminal
(Argus, 27.Jul.2020) — US firm Sycar plans to build Ecuador’s first LNG import terminal, with construction expected to start in 2021. Sycar, in partnership with an unnamed LNG trading firm, intends to install a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) to provide regasified LNG to the 130MW Thermo Gas Machala […]
Ecuador Seeking New Oil-backed Loan From China
(Argus, 13.Jul.2020) — Ecuador’s austerity-minded government is in discussions with China to secure a new loan backed by oil sales. The fresh loan of at least $1.4bn would be secured by some 50mn bl of crude sales under a long-term arrangement that replicates a series of oil-backed debt contracts that […]
PetroEcuador Continues With Elimination Process
(Energy Analytics Institute, 12.Jul.2020) — Technical staff with the Consortium Suez-Ecuambiente continues with previous work related to the export of hazardous waste from the Las Esmeraldas refinery, which consists of 3,000 tons of spent caustic soda, spent diethanolamine, dielectric oil with PCB’S and electrical transformers with PCBs, which remain stored […]
Ecuador seeks private investor to operate Esmeraldas refinery
(Piero Stewart, Energy Analytics Institute, 10.Jul.2020) — Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources (MERNNR) together with state controlled EP PetroEcuador plan to define the contractual mechanism for a private investor to contribute, at their own risk and expense, to the improvement of the supply and quality of fuels […]
MERNNR Extends Offers For El Aromo And Villonaco
(Energy Analytics Institute, 10.Jul.2020) — René Ortiz, the head of Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources (MERNNR) extended terms for the delivery of technical and economic offers — within the public selection processes for the concession for the El Aromo photovoltaic projects (200 megawatts) located in the province […]
Ecuador Eyes Mining Investments Of $1.3bn
(Energy Analytics Institute, 9.Jul.2020) — Ecuador envisions mining exploration investments of $1.3bn through January 2022, according to comments from the country’s Mines Vice Minister Fernando L. Benalcázar. Benalcázar’s comments came during his participation in the “Digital Latin American Mining Summit” on 9 July, Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural […]
MERNNR Works On Slowing Coca River Water Flow
(Energy Analytics Institute, 8.Jul.2020) — René Ortiz, head of Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources (MERNNR), CELEC EP General Manager Gonzalo Uquillas Vallejo, and Ecuador’s Hydrocarbon Vice Minister María Elisa Soledispa announced construction and incorporation of emerging ramps to decrease the water flow speed of the Coca River […]
Renewables Key To LatAm Economic Recovery
(Reve, 8.Jul.2020) — The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) will boost ties to put the renewables driven energy transformation at the heart of Latin America and the Caribbean’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak. The efforts build on an existing Memorandum of Understanding […]
Kichwa People Return To Ecuadorian Court
(Amazon Watch, 2.Jul.2020) — Now 8 years since the court’s decision, the community will once again demand the Ecuadorian government comply with the ruling that requires the removal of buried explosives in their territory and the guarantee of free prior and informed consultation in accordance with international and national standards. […]
EP PetroEcuador Awards Spot Sale To Phillips 66 Co.
(Energy Analytics Institute, 30.Jun.2020) — EP PetroEcuador awarded the second spot market sale of 2020 to US refining company Phillips 66 Company. The sale is for 3,600,000 barrels of Oriente crude oil of approximately 24-degrees API. Phillips 66 offered the best differential with a value of -$1.77 per barrel, EP […]
Ecuador Crude Pipelines Brace For Further Erosion
(Argus, 8.Jun.2020) — State-owned PetroEcuador restarted the 360,000 b/d Sote crude pipeline today after completing a second bypass. Heavy rains ruptured the line in early April and caused erosion around a series of rivers in San Rafael on the border between Napo and Sucumbios provinces. The two bypasses, one of […]
PetroAmazonas Develops 63.5 Ha On Blocks 43 And 31
(Energy Analytics Institute, 3.Jun.2020) — PetroAmazonas EP has developed 63.50 hectares of Block 43-ITT (Ishpingo, Tambococha, Tiputini) and Block 31, both located in the province of Orellana. Of the figure, approximate 26.60 hectares corresponds to Block 43 and 36.90 hectares to Block 31, PetroAmazonas announced 3 June 2020 in an […]
PetroEcuador Monitoring Emissions At Esmeraldas
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 30.May.2020) — Ecuador’s state oil company EP Petroecuador is monitoring emissions at the Esmeraldas refinery, especially those of sulfur dioxide (SOx) even though preliminary reports show emissions from the refining center have yet to exceed parameters allowed by environmental regulations. Notwithstanding, EP PetroEcuador has carried […]
Oil Minister Says Ecuador’s Production Recovering
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 25.May.2020) — Production from Ecuador’s state oil company PetroAmazonas EP and other private companies operating in the Andean country have reached 90% of levels seen prior to breakages at the SOTE and OCP. “Soon, we’ll achieve 530,000 barrels per day,” reported PetroAmazonas in a Twitter […]
JPMorgan Chase Climate Action Is Vastly Insufficient
(Amazon Watch, 18.May.2020) — Today, JPMorgan Chase – the largest bank in the United States and the largest banker of fossil fuels worldwide – will hold its Annual General Meeting. Among other decisions, the bank’s shareholders will vote on whether or not Lee Raymond should remain on the bank’s Board […]
PetroEcuador Automates Personnel Selection Process
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 12.May.2020) — State oil company EP PetroEcuador automated the personnel selection process across Ecuador for the first time with use of a technological platform that facilitates the activity, the company announced 12 May 2020 in an official statement. The first phase of the new Human […]
Ecuador’s MERNNR Finally Lifts Force Majeure
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 10.May.2020) — Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources (MERNNR) on 9 May 2020 lifted the force majeure declared on 10 April declared due to breaks along the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) and the Heavy Crude Oil Pipeline (OCP) caused by a nature event […]
Fitch Affirms PetroAmazonas’ Debt at ‘C’
(Fitch, 7.May.2020) — Fitch Ratings has affirmed the senior unsecured notes issued by Empresa Publica de Exploracion y Explotacion de Hidrocarburos Petroamazonas EP (PetroAmazonas) due in November 2020 at ‘C’/’RR4’. The affirmation reflects the completion of the consent solicitation processing for which the company received valid consents from 98.91% of […]
PetroEcuador Dispatches Fuel From Barbasquillo
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 7.May.2020) — EP PetroEcuador on 2 May 2020 started dispatching super gasoline from the Barbasquillo Clean Products Terminal located in Manta in order to satisfy demand in the province of Manabí. The fuel was was previously dispatched from the Pascuales Terminal located in the city […]
EP PetroEcuador Cuts Import Budget By $191.7mn
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 5.May.2020) — EP PetroEcuador reprogrammed its imports of high-octane naphtha ron 93, naphtha ron 80, premium diesel, cutter stock and diesel oil. “Derivatives imports have been rescheduled for May and June of this year, so we will have a $191.7 million reduction in the annual […]
PetroEcuador Delays May-June Fuel Imports
(Argus, 5.May.2020) — State-owned PetroEcuador has delayed all fuel imports that were supposed to arrive in May and June because of a sharp decline in demand. The delayed imports include Ron 93 and Ron 80 gasoline, diesel and cutter stock. The revised timeframe for the imports will depend on the […]
Environmental Restoration Work Continues In Ecuador
(Energy Analytics Institute, Piero Stewart, 1.May.2020) — Intervention activities continue at 40 defined sites in Ecuador, of which at least 220 focal points have been established to concentrate on environmental restoration actions along areas affected by oil spills on 7 April 2020 caused by natural ruptures of the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline […]