On March 18, 2025, Petroecuador declared force majeure due to an oil spill started on March 13, affecting over 500,000 residents and contaminating the Esmeraldas River. An emergency bringing about the suspension of Oriente crude exports was declared, with serious implications for local water access and ecological health. The situation calls for urgent mitigation efforts amid heavy rainfall-induced disasters.
On March 18, 2025, Ecuador’s state-owned oil company, Petroecuador, declared force majeure on its Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) following a major oil spill that began on March 13. A landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions, ruptured the pipeline, contaminating the Esmeraldas River and impacting over 500,000 residents facing a significant water crisis.
The Ecuadorian government declared a state of emergency on March 16, necessitating the suspension of Oriente crude oil exports, one of the two main crude varieties produced in the country. The force majeure declaration protects Petroecuador from penalties associated with contract breaches. This emergency status is set to last for up to 60 days, allowing the company to focus resources on mitigating the effects of the spill on oil operations.
Heavy rains across Ecuador have caused severe flooding, landslides, and fatalities, with 20 reported deaths as of March 19. The most affected areas include the provinces of Manabí, Guayas, Los Ríos, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Loja, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Pichincha, and Imbabura. The National Secretariat of Risk Management has reported 20 fatalities, 6 missing persons, and thousands of individuals impacted by the disasters.
The oil spill, which occurred in Quinindé, affected approximately 32 kilometers (20 miles) and five rivers. Initially believed to have begun on March 15, it was later confirmed that the pipeline rupture on March 13 was the source of the leak. Reports indicate that around 15,000 people in Esmeraldas have been impacted, particularly those living along riverbanks.
Local officials have expressed concern over water contamination as Esmeraldas Mayor Vicko Villacis reported that around 500,000 residents have lost access to potable water, creating reliance on increasingly polluted sources. The estimated volume of the spill is around 200,000 barrels, marking it as Ecuador’s largest coastal oil spill in eight years, leading to an environmental emergency affecting drinking water supplies and local beaches.
In response to the disaster, Petroecuador has mobilized tanker trucks to recover spilled crude and deployed ships to deliver potable water. Furthermore, the National Emergency Operations Committee ordered the Ministry of the Environment to declare an environmental emergency in the affected regions and recommended the temporary closure of nearby beaches. Experts warned of a dire impact on local wildlife, suggesting massive ecological damage due to the oil pollution.
Marine biologist Eduardo Rebolledo noted, “There are no life forms in the water” of the affected rivers, highlighting the devastation to aquatic ecosystems. The situation in rural Esmeraldas is critical, with residents heavily reliant on contaminated river water for their daily needs.
The declaration of force majeure by Petroecuador reveals the severe impact of environmental crises on local communities in Ecuador, following a major oil spill resulting from a landslide. The loss of potable water and the ecological devastation underscore the urgency of addressing the incident. Immediate actions to recover oil and deliver drinking water are in effect, but long-term consequences for residents and wildlife remain uncertain.
Original Source: watchers.news
