Petroecuador declared force majeure on March 18, 2025, due to a catastrophic oil spill from a landslide, affecting over 500,000 residents in Ecuador. The incident has prompted an emergency declaration, suspending crude oil exports and mobilizing recovery efforts. The spill, described as the worst in eight years, has caused severe water pollution, extensive property damage, and significant ecological harm to the region.
Ecuador’s state oil company, Petroecuador, declared force majeure on March 18, 2025, in response to an extensive oil spill originating from a landslide that ruptured the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE). This incident began on March 13 and has severely impacted the Esmeraldas River, jeopardizing the water supply for over 500,000 residents, who now face a critical water crisis.
The landslide that caused this spill was the result of intense rainfall and poor weather conditions afflicting the area, which have already led to 20 fatalities reported by March 19. Following the emergency declaration on March 16, Petroecuador halted exports of Oriente crude oil, anticipating that the force majeure clause would protect the company from penalties or contractual violations.
The force majeure declaration will last for up to 60 days and is intended to concentrate resources on alleviating the consequences of this incident on various aspects of hydrocarbon exploration and production. The spill has devastated western Ecuador, with specific provinces suffering extensive damage, including Manabí, Guayas, and Esmeraldas.
As of March 19, the National Secretariat of Risk Management reported numerous casualties: 20 dead, six missing, 95 injured, and 306 evacuated, affecting a total of 108,227 individuals with nearly 30,000 houses damaged. The spill, particularly severe in the El Vergel sector of Quinindé, has spread across 32 kilometers, contaminating at least five rivers and leaving thousands vulnerable.
Local leadership has expressed concern over the crisis, with Quinindé Mayor Ronald Montero indicating approximately 15,000 people have been affected, particularly those living along affected riverbanks. Mayor Vicko Villacis of Esmeraldas warned that the region’s dependence on rivers for potable water has exacerbated the situation, estimating a spillage of around 200,000 barrels.
This incident marks the most significant oil spill in Ecuador’s coastal region in the past eight years, leading to a declared environmental emergency and restrictions on local beaches. Petroecuador has not yet released details on the total volume of oil spilt but has begun deploying recovery efforts and supplying drinking water to affected communities.
Moreover, the National Emergency Operations Committee declared an environmental emergency across Esmeraldas province, targeting crucial wildlife refuges integral to the local ecosystem. Marine biologist Eduardo Rebolledo emphasized the severe ecological consequences, stating that affected waters are devoid of life due to pollution with oil. Residents in rural areas are increasingly dependent on river water as access to clean drinking water dwindles.
In summary, Petroecuador’s declaration of force majeure reflects a significant environmental disaster following an oil spill caused by a landslide exacerbated by severe weather conditions. The spill has profoundly impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents in Ecuador, leading to critical water shortages and severe ecological damage. Immediate efforts are being mobilized to mitigate the situation and provide necessary resources to the affected communities while addressing the environmental fallout from this incident.
Original Source: watchers.news
