Residents enter a Station of the North Peruvian Pipeline and detain workers

A group of residents of the Fernando Rosas native community, located in the Datem del Marañón province of the Loreto region, broke into the Morona Station facilities of the North Peruvian Pipeline (ONP) on the afternoon of Sunday 24, demanding that the power generating motor be turned off, preventing the departure of Petroperú personnel and its contractors and demanding the presence of a high-level commission from the Executive to address their requirements.

Petroperú regretted that this situation occurred in the midst of a dialogue process that it has been developing together with the State and the communal authorities of Fernando Rosas, in line with the commitments assumed with the population. It is necessary to mention that, in order to fully comply with the aforementioned commitments, the procedures required by the regulations and the supervisory bodies must be taken into account, which have been reported in the meetings held.

In this context, the company urged the authorities and community leaders to reflect on the measure adopted and to maintain the dialogue and coordination that has been developing.

The company recalls that the Morona Station is an industrial facility where hydrocarbons are stored in storage tanks and, when this input comes into contact with heat sources or is manipulated by unauthorized third parties, an explosion could occur with regrettable consequences, meaning a high risk for the occupants, the surrounding communities, workers and facilities of the ONP, considered a National Critical Asset.

Petroperú has reported these events to the competent authorities such as the National Police and the Public Prosecutor's Office, who are requested to urgently intervene to restore social order.