Articles
Business intelligence and analysis on Ecuador
Auca 141H Adds 2,568 Bpd to Orellana Oil Output
A new horizontal well at Auca is producing 2,568 bpd, Primicias reports. The Block 61 field averages 60,000 bpd, has more than 580 drilled wells and is operated by Shaya, an SLB affiliate.
Ecuador Has Gone Three Months Without Domestic Premium Diesel Output
Ecuador has gone three months without producing premium diesel, Primicias reports. Imports rose 70.97% year over year in March and 98.58% in April while import prices reached $165.45 and $183.43 per barrel, respectively.
MAE Sets Oil-Production Roadmap Around Stabilization, Private Marginal Fields
Ecuador's Ministry of Environment and Energy has outlined a roadmap to stabilize crude output and bring private operators into marginal fields, El Universo reports. Petroecuador production fell 2.55% in the first four months of 2026, while national fiscalized output averaged 458,732 bpd.
Coca Codo Erosion Risk Rises Ahead of June-July Amazon Rain Peak
June and July historically bring the Coca River's highest flows, increasing risk around Coca Codo Sinclair's intake works, Primicias reports. The regressive-erosion front remained 3.6 km from the intake in the latest published report before the May 21 dike damage.
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.