Petroecuador declares force majeure after worst oil spill in 8 years, Ecuador
Ecuador’s state oil company, Petroecuador, declared force majeure on its Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) on March 18, 2025, following a catastrophic oil spill that began on March 13. The spill, caused by a landslide that ruptured the pipeline, has contaminated the Esmeraldas River, affecting over 500 000 residents who are now experiencing a severe water crisis. The landslide was triggered by heavy rains and severe weather conditions across the country that have claimed 20 lives as of March 19.
Operative supplying water in regions affected by oil spill in Ecuador. Image credit: Alcaldía Esmeraldas
Ecuador’s state oil company Petroecuador declared force majeure on its SOTE pipeline on March 18, following an oil spill that prompted a state of emergency declaration on March 16.
As a result, the company will suspend exports of Oriente crude, one of two crude oil varieties produced in Ecuador. Petroecuador expects that invoking the clause will shield it from penalties and potential contract breaches.
The emergency declaration will remain in effect for up to 60 days and aims to allocate resources to mitigate the impact of the force majeure event on hydrocarbon exploration, production, transportation, and marketing, according to Petroecuador.
The oil spill was caused by a landslide that ruptured a pipeline amid heavy rains. Persistent rainfall across Ecuador has led to severe flooding and landslides, resulting in fatalities and widespread damage.
The most affected regions are in western Ecuador, including the provinces of Manabí, Guayas, Los Ríos, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Loja, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Pichincha, and Imbabura.
As of March 19, the National Secretariat of Risk Management (SGR) reported 20 fatalities, 6 missing persons, 95 injured, 306 evacuees, and a total of 108 227 people affected. Additionally, 29 984 houses sustained damage, including 138 that were destroyed.
The spill in the El Vergel sector of Quinindé impacted 32 km (20 miles) and at least five rivers, according to the Ministry of the Environment. Initial reports suggested the spill occurred on March 15, but it was later confirmed that a landslide on March 13 ruptured the pipeline, causing the leak.
By March 17, Quinindé Mayor Ronald Montero stated that around 15 000 people had been affected by the oil spill in Esmeraldas. At least 2 000 of them live along the riverbanks, where water contamination with oil has been reported.
Esmeraldas Mayor Vicko Villacis told Teleamazonas on March 18 that around 500 000 people had been affected, with many losing access to potable water in a region highly dependent on rivers. He estimated the spill at roughly 200 000 barrels.
The pipeline rupture has caused the worst oil spill in Ecuador’s coastal region in eight years, prompting an environmental emergency. It has also disrupted drinking water services and impacted some beaches near Esmeraldas.
Petroecuador, which has not disclosed the volume of oil spilled, deployed tanker trucks to recover as much crude as possible in affected areas where many residents depend on fishing for subsistence. The company announced that three ships would start delivering drinking water to Esmeraldas on March 19.
The National Emergency Operations Committee (COE) instructed the Ministry of the Environment to declare an “environmental emergency” across Esmeraldas province and the Mangroves Estuary River Wildlife Refuge, which hosts more than 250 species, including otters, howler monkeys, armadillos, frigate birds, and pelicans. The COE also ordered the temporary closure of Las Palmas, Camarones, and Las Piedras beaches.
“There are no life forms in the water” of two affected rivers, where “a mixture of oil and water circulates,” marine biologist Eduardo Rebolledo from the Catholic University of Esmeraldas told a local TV channel.
“In rural Esmeraldas, drinking water is scarce, and residents heavily depend on river water,” he added.
References:
1 Ecuador – Severe weather, floods and landslides, update – Echo Flash – March 19, 2025
2 Ecuador declares ‘force majeure’ emergency, cuts exports over oil spill – AFP – March 19, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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