Ecuador’s Petroecuador declares force majeure over Napo crude exports

Ecuador’s state oil company, Petroecuador, has declared force majeure over deliveries of Napo heavy crude for exports following the shutdown of a key pipeline and oil wells due to heavy rains hitting the country, sources said on Friday.
Intense rains over the weekend forced the shutdown of three hydroelectric plants, the suspension of a key heavy crude pipeline operated by private companies and a temporary closure of heavy oil-producing wells.
A nationwide electricity outage that struck residential users, hospitals and the capital’s subway system followed the rains this week. The government attributed the electricity outage to a faulty transmission line.
Ecuador’s privately operated OCP pipeline decided to shut valves and stop pumping heavy crude on Monday as a preventative measure as heavy rains accelerated erosion surrounding the infrastructure, OCP said.