Petroperu Retakes Oil Pipeline Pump Station After 61 Days

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Written by Amir Richani for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Petroperu (Lima, Peru), Peru's state energy company, retook control over Pump Station 5 of the Oleoducto Norperuano oil pipeline (ONP) in the Datem del Maranon Province in the Loreto Region after 61 days. The asset had been taken over by dozens of individuals from local communities since April as part of local protests. The company has yet to restart operations at the station.

Elements such as computers and closed-circuit television cameras have "disappeared" from the facility, according to Petroperu's statement.

"The company has begun cleaning, technical evaluation, and facility renovation work to restore conditions that allow for the return of personnel and the gradual resumption of operations at Station 5," said the company.

On April 1, around 100 people from local communities seized the facility, shutting down power to the unit and provoking the suspension of operations. By mid-April, however, another group of 500 people also entered the facility, increasing tensions at the unit.

According to Infobae, the protesters had multiple demands, ranging from the cleanup of oil spills to requests related to education.

This is not the first time that communities have taken over the facility to protest on similar matters. In August, local communities also seized the facility for 37 days. In January 2023, Petroperu evacuated its staff from the asset due to threats.

Station 5 represents a strategic area within the ONP, as it is the connecting point between the three segments of the pipeline, the Ramal Norte, Stretch 1, and Stretch 2. This has made it a target of protestors to attract the attention of authorities for multiple matters.

Sabotages of the oil pipeline's segments and stations occur frequently. This year, the pipeline has been attacked four times. Between January 2023 and March 2024, Stretch 2 of the ONP was the target of 11 sabotages.

The Oleoducto Norperuano pipeline is the longest pipeline in Peru, stretching more than 1,100 kilometers (684 miles).

Security issues are not new to Peru. However, the numerous attacks on the ONP, as well as the recent assassination of miners in the northern province of Pataz, have raised questions about the government's ability to deal with the situation.

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