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The rupture of the Ecuador SOTE pipeline released 25,116 barrels.

In a recent statement, Ecuador's National Disaster Management Agency said that the rupture of Ecuador's SOTE oil pipeline spilled more than 25,000 barrels. The spill affected three rivers, wildlife, and at least 5300 people.

Petroecuador, in a separate press release on Tuesday, confirmed the magnitude of the spill and stated that they had collected 30,257 gallons of crude oil mixed water prior to a separation procedure.

Petroecuador, the state-owned oil company, was forced to declare force majeure after a rupture caused by an avalanche. The pipeline was shut down for six days. The company resumed the export of Oriente crude, but has not lifted its declaration.

In a report posted on the National Secretariat for Risk Management's website, published Monday night, "EP PETROECUADOR stated that containment barriers and dikes were installed in the Viche region and that 25,116 barrels of oil were spilled across 80 km."

According to the report, the spill affected at least 294 acres of agricultural land, three rivers and nine beaches in the coastal province Esmeraldas.

Petroecuador has said that it has allocated $4,000,000 for contingency plans. It is also maintaining ground monitoring, conducting overflights to the affected areas and providing provisions to affected families. (Reporting and writing by Alexandra Valencia, Julia Symmes Cobb, Aida Pelaez Fernandez; editing by Leslie Adler).

(source: Reuters)