Peru's ONP Oil Pipeline Harried by Illegal Siphonings

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Written by Amir Richani for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

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Summary

Petroperu found five illegal connections used to siphon oil along the ONP between June and July. The company's database records 87 pipeline incidents attributed to third parties. Peru's northern oil blocks and infrastructure have for years faced social conflict and tensions with local communities and criminal groups.

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Illegal Connections

Peru's Norperuano Oil Pipeline (ONP) identified five illegal siphoning connections across section II of the pipeline in the province of Sechura between June and July. The latest clandestine connection was discovered on July 27 following a drop in pressure in the pipeline.

"During the inspection, a metal structure with eight pipes welded to the oil pipeline was found, in addition to a hose of approximately 280 meters that would have been used to transport the illegally extracted crude oil to a tanker truck," the oil company's statement said.

Criminal groups install these illegal connections to siphon oil directly from the pipeline. Such illegal connections can cause crude spills and interruptions to pumping or transport operations.

Peru's oil industry is considerably smaller than that of its Latin American neighbors; however, Industrial Info Resources data show 117 upstream oil and gas projects in Peru amounting to investments of US$580 million.

Between 2014 and 2026, Petroperu has documented 87 third-party-related incidents across the ONP, leading to thousands of barrels in losses. These incidents highlight Peru's challenges to guarantee security in sections of the long pipeline, and create additional uncertainty for operators in remote Amazonian oil fields.

The Sechura province, where the last five illegal connections were discovered, has been a recurring location for these third-party intereference, with 14 incidents recorded since 2014.

The ONP extends for more than 1,100 kilometers (683 miles) and comprises three sections:

• Section I extends from San Jose de Saramuro deep in the Loreto region Jungle to station 5, extending for 306 kilometers (190 miles) and a 24-inch diameter.
• Section II is the longest segment of the pipeline. It begins in station 5 where Section I and North Branch converge. The 36-inch pipeline extends for 548 kilometers (34- miles) from the Kuzu Grande in the Alto Amazonas province to the Bayobar Terminal on Peru's Pacific coast, where it is either exported or stored.
• North Branch is the shortest section of the pipeline, covering 252 kilometers (157 miles) with a diameter of 16 inches, which connects the 192 oil block to Section II.

Social Conflict, Tensions, and Production

Throughout the years, the ONP and northern Amazonian oil operations have been affected by conflicts with local communities along the pipeline corridor, disrupting operations at oil fields, pumping stations, and sections of the ONP. These community protests have included demands related to oil spills, employment, compensations and more.

At the same time, the route of the ONP through mountains and jungle complicates surveillance and protection from illegal siphoning and attacks.

These circumstances have affected operations in Peru's Amazonian oil fields and deterred companies considering investments in Peru's northern Amazonian region.

In a March report, Petroperu highlighted that the ONP is transporting lower volumes due to social conflicts, stoppages, and lower production from oil blocks 95, 192 and 67. Petroperu has been seeking an operating partner for block 192 to restart production from the asset.

In the first four months of the year, Peru averaged oil production of 36,700 barrels per day (bpd), compared with 44,100 bpd in 2025 and 43,500 bpd a decade ago in 2017.

Block 67 has been offline since January 2023, while block 192, one of the country's biggest, stopped producing oil in February 2020.

Key Takeaways

• Peru has recorded five illegal connections on the ONP since June, bringing the number of incidents since 2014 to 87.
• These illegal connections are used to siphon oil from pipelines and have led to thousands of barrels in losses.
• Peru produced 36,700 bpd in the first four months of the year, compared to 44,100 bpd throughout 2025.

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