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Ecuador's OCP Heavy Crude Pipeline suspends pumping once again

The company stated that Ecuador's OCP Heavy Crude Pipeline suspended pumping Monday just hours after it resumed operations. This was done as a precaution because of the erosion in the Quijos River, according to a Tuesday statement.

The OCP pipeline has been suspended for the second time in the last month. The previous suspension was due to erosion on the Loco River in Ecuador's Amazon region.

Since 2020, erosion along the Coca River has spread, damaging oil infrastructure, roads, and now the Coca Codo sinclair hydroelectric facility, the largest one in Ecuador.

Official data shows that Ecuador's crude production fell on Monday to 134.153 barrels per daily (bpd), including the output of Petroecuador, the state oil company, and private companies. On Monday, June 30, the production had been around 465,000 barrels per day (bpd) before the incident.

The state-owned SOTE oil pipeline in Ecuador has also been closed since 2 July due to heavy rainfall. Petroecuador declared force majeure for all operations including crude exports on July 3, due to the suspension of the pipelines. (Reporting and editing by Alexandra Valencia)

(source: Reuters)