Articles
Business intelligence and analysis on Ecuador
Programmed Power Cuts Cover 54 Cities in 15 Provinces With User Compensation
Ecuador will apply scheduled electricity cuts in 54 cities across 15 provinces during two consecutive weekends, Primicias reports. Energy Minister Juan Carlos Blum said the work is tied to preventive maintenance and system strengthening ahead of a possible El Nino event.
Petroecuador Output Falls to 356,867 Bpd During High-WTI Window
Petroecuador produced 356,867 barrels per day in April 2026, down 17,733 bpd year over year, Primicias reports. The decline occurred while WTI averaged $97 per barrel during the three-month conflict-driven price window.
Ecuador Releases $98.9M in Sinohydro Guarantees After Coca Codo Handover
Ecuador released $98.9 million in pending guarantees to Sinohydro on May 8 after the April 17 definitive acceptance of Coca Codo Sinclair, Primicias reports. The state retains a $36 million distributor-performance guarantee as it negotiates a 25-year operating and maintenance agreement with PowerChina.
Ecuador Grid Losses Estimated at 1,200 MW as Deficit Pressure Persists
Ecuador loses an estimated 1,200 MW in transmission and distribution, roughly equal to the average power deficit the country is trying to cover, according to Primicias/Revista Gestion. The report frames grid modernization as a potentially faster capacity lever than new generation alone.
Decreto 390 Sets Electric-Sector Diesel at $0.8042/Gal as Thermal Fuel Rules Change
Decreto Ejecutivo 390 sets diesel for the electric sector at $0.8042 per gallon and establishes Fuel Oil 4 prices of $0.48 at Refinería La Libertad and $0.62 at other dispatch points. The reform takes effect from 00:00 on May 22, 2026.
CELEC Has No Awards Across 205 MW Emergency Thermal Rental Pipeline
CELEC's plan to contract 205 MW in rented thermal generation has not produced an award as of May 22. Primicias reports Pascuales, Jaramijó and Miraflores have already faced deserted processes while Santa Elena and Guangopolo remain delayed.
Campo Amistad Adds 3M Cubic Feet per Day, Lifting Gas Output to 27.6M Cubic Feet
Campo Amistad increased daily natural-gas production by 3 million cubic feet after work on Amistad 7, Primicias reports. Total output reached 27.6 million cubic feet, with Petroecuador planning additional interventions on wells 8, 14 and 9.
ARCH Opens Sanction Proceedings Against 18 Fuel Marketers Over 448 Station Stock Reports
Ecuador's hydrocarbons regulator opened sanction proceedings against 18 fuel marketers for not reporting stocks at 448 stations between May 9 and May 12. ARCH says the omissions obstruct dispatch management and service continuity; distributors argue the shortage was caused by government import logistics.
Comptroller Audit Finds $18.8M in Petroecuador Liabilities in Sacha Contract Liquidation
Ecuador's Comptroller approved a special examination assigning $18.8 million in civil and administrative responsibilities to Petroecuador over the liquidation of a Campo Sacha gas-compression contract. The audit cites unjustified retroactive interest and omitted collection of fines and receivables.
Ecuador Funds $19.7M Compensation on April CNEL Electricity Bills for Consumption Up to 180 kWh
Ecuador will compensate $19.7 million on April electricity bills for CNEL customers consuming up to 180 kWh under Executive Decree 379. The measure covers about 1.83 million CNEL clients, with April bills delivered by email in the last two weeks of May.
Esmeraldas Refinery Restarts FCC Unit May 15; Gasoline and Domestic Gas Resume, Diesel Premium Deferred to June 2
Petroecuador restarted the Esmeraldas refinery's FCC unit on May 15, 2026, resuming domestic gas and gasoline production. Diesel premium output is deferred to June 2. Ecuador had been importing 65% of fuel demand during the outage that had the refinery at 41% of its 110,000 bpd capacity.
Esmeraldas Refinery at 33-40% Capacity With FCC Unit Offline; Ecuador Now Imports 65% of Fuel Demand
Ecuador's Esmeraldas refinery is operating at 33-40% of its 110,000 bbl/d capacity with the critical FCC unit offline, forcing the country to import 65% of fuel demand. Diesel broke the $3/gallon threshold for the first time on May 12. Petroecuador targets an FCC restart on May 15.
