Crude leaks in Urarinas were caused by third parties

Damages done by third parties to the North Peruvian Pipeline (ONP) affect the Amazon ecosystem.

Competent authorities begin an investigation to identify those responsible for these illicit acts.

The Nueva Alianza Community continues to impede PETROPERU contractors from beginning the cleanup and remediation works in the area.

The Specialized Prosecutor in Environmental Matters of Loreto-Nauta confirmed that the recent crude leaks detected in the 54+200 Km and the 55+500 Km of the ONP, Urarinas District, Province of Loreto, Loreto Region, where caused by the action of third parties who severed the pipe using tools, as was the case in the 364 + 990 Km of Stretch II of the North Peruvian Pipeline, in the Nieva District, Province of Condorcanqui, Amazonas Region.

As corresponds, PETROPERU has filed the corresponding claim before the mentioned Prosecutors Office for aggravated damage against whoever is found responsible.

As was previously informed, the emergency response team, made up of PETROPERU professionals and the INMAC and LAMOR international companies, are present in the affected area, waiting to begin the remediation and cleanup works and continue the execution of the contingency plan. It must be mentioned that the work team found the following:

• § A three (3) inch cut in the 54+200 Km. There the crude is confined to a space 12 meters wide (which corresponds to the width of the flotation canal) and 1,200 meters long.
• § A 2.5 inch cut in the 55+500 Km. The crude is confined to a space 12 meters wide (which corresponds to the width of the flotation canal) and 800 meters long.

The crude leaks were controlled immediately, placing bolted staples to prevent the movement of the product in the flotation canal. As is known, the ONP flotation canal is an artificial facility built to house the pipeline and serves to contain the crude in cased of a leak. Additionally, it is equipped with security plugs that prevent the exit of the crude to other bodies of water. On the other hand it must be indicated that the ONP operations have been paralyzed since February of this year.

In recent hours, OEFA and OSINERGMIN representatives have inspected the areas of these environmental incidents and representatives of the Public Prosecutor’s Office are doing the same in order to file the respective charges.

As it corresponds, these events are being reported to the authorities in a timely manner, and communications with them are being maintained permanently.