ECUADOR – Fire Forces Shutdown at Ecuador’s Largest Oil Refinery

A fire broke out at Ecuador’s main oil refinery in Esmeraldas province, prompting a full suspension of operations to protect personnel and infrastructure, state-owned Petroecuador announced. The refinery, the country’s largest, has a processing capacity of 110,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

Emergency Response and Evacuation

Although no fatalities occurred, five individuals were treated for minor smoke inhalation. Workers were swiftly evacuated, and military personnel secured the facility, according to reports from an AFP journalist on the scene. Police also began evacuating nearby residents, but the number of people affected was not disclosed.

The cause of the blaze remains unknown. The refinery is situated close to the Colombian border, heightening concerns about regional safety and infrastructure resilience.

Oil Industry Challenges and Context

The incident adds to a series of recent setbacks for Ecuador’s oil sector. In March 2025, over 25,000 barrels of crude oil spilled into three rivers due to a major pipeline leak, halting exports. In 2023, a severe drought—the worst in six decades—led to rolling blackouts and disrupted energy production, including at oil facilities.

Despite these challenges, Ecuador remains one of South America’s top oil producers. In 2024, it produced approximately 475,000 barrels of crude per day, exporting nearly 75% and earning $8.6 billion in revenue. Besides the Esmeraldas facility, the country operates two smaller refineries, processing 45,000 and 20,000 barrels per day respectively.

Government Assurance on Fuel Supply

In response to the refinery shutdown, the government issued a statement assuring citizens that fuel availability across the country would not be affected. Petroecuador has not disclosed the amount of fuel present in the affected tank at the time of the fire.

Photo credit: Antony Quintero. All rights reserved.