Ecuador Resumes Colombian Crude Oil Transport Through National Pipelines, Projecting Annual Revenue of USD 16.8 Million
The public company Petroecuador reported on Saturday, October 17, 2026, that the transport of Colombian crude oil through Ecuadorian pipelines has resumed. The Government of Daniel Noboa authorized the restart of this service for Colombian companies Ecopetrol and Amerisur, utilizing the San Miguel – Lago Agrio (OSLA) and Transecuatoriano (SOTE) pipelines. This resumption restarts a bilateral contractual process that has been in effect since 2024.
Petroecuador projects annual revenue of USD 16.8 million from this operation. Since October 2026, an average of 11,900 barrels daily of Colombian crude oil is being transported, estimating monthly revenues of USD 1.4 million for the Ecuadorian State. The crude oil travels approximately 500 kilometers from Lago Agrio via the SOTE to an embarkation point in Esmeraldas province for export.
The transport of Colombian crude oil through the Ecuadorian pipeline system remains operational despite border closures. This continuity contributes to preserving hydrocarbon trade flows, generating resources for the Ecuadorian State, and strengthening the use of national oil infrastructure. The SOTE operates at full capacity, which Petroecuador states allows national oil production to remain stable. On Friday, October 16, Petroecuador reported achieving a production of 371,599 barrels equivalent of oil per day (boepd), attributing this to the operational continuity of its 25 oil blocks.
What to watch
The projected annual revenue of USD 16.8 million represents a quantifiable financial benefit for Ecuador. The sustained average transport of 11,900 barrels daily will be a key metric to monitor for consistency with revenue targets. The operational status of the OSLA and SOTE pipelines, particularly the SOTE's full capacity utilization, is central to maintaining both this international transport service and national oil production stability.
Sources: vistazo.com.
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