A fire at Ecuador’s largest oil refinery in Esmeraldas halted production and prompted evacuations. No serious injuries were reported, but several people experienced minor smoke inhalation. The government assures that fuel supply remains secure despite the ongoing challenges in the energy sector.
ESMERALDAS, Ecuador — A fire erupted in a fuel tank at Ecuador’s largest oil refinery on Monday, effectively halting all operations and prompting the evacuation of nearby residents due to the large smoke plume. The refinery, located in Esmeraldas province and capable of refining 110,000 barrels per day, suspended its production to ensure both facility security and personnel safety, according to state oil company Petroecuador.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the incident; however, five individuals required medical assistance for minor smoke inhalation effects. Personnel were evacuated from the site, which was subsequently secured by both military and refinery staff, as reported by an AFP journalist on the scene.
Ecuadoran police announced that they were evacuating residents from the vicinity, though they did not provide specific numbers. As of now, the cause of the fire at this crucial facility, located near Ecuador’s border with Colombia, remains undetermined.
In a post on X, Energy Minister Ines Manzano assured that the situation was “under control,” but this assurance did little to ease the worries of local residents. Witnesses, including plant worker Ramiro Medina, reported hearing a “loud noise” before people began to flee the area. Community representative Edgar Romero expressed concern, stating, “What is happening now is quite worrying.” He remarked on the alarming odor, initially mistaking it for fumigation from a nearby school before realizing it was gasoline-related.
Petroecuador did not disclose the amount of fuel present in the tank when the fire occurred. Additionally, Ecuador is known as one of South America’s leading oil producers, with reliance on petroleum exports significantly impacting its economy. In 2024, the country produced about 475,000 barrels of crude daily, selling nearly three-quarters of this output, which generated $8.6 billion in oil exports.
Ecuador’s oil production has faced several challenges, including power outages due to the worst drought in six decades, severely affecting hydroelectric reservoir levels. Earlier in March, a catastrophic fuel pipeline leak resulted in the spillage of over 25,000 barrels of crude into three rivers, also leading to the suspension of oil exports.
Despite the fire at the Esmeraldas refinery, the government has reassured the public, stating that “the supply of fuel is completely guaranteed throughout the country.” There are two additional refineries in Ecuador, with refining capacities of 45,000 and 20,000 barrels per day, respectively.
In summary, the fire at Ecuador’s largest oil refinery has resulted in halted production, evacuations, and reported concerns from both workers and local residents. Despite the incident, Petroecuador assures that the nation’s fuel supply remains secure. Nonetheless, with recent history of operational challenges, including the severe drought and previous pipeline incidents, the situation illustrates ongoing vulnerabilities within Ecuador’s energy sector.
Original Source: www.cp24.com
