Petroamazonas has declared a state of emergency at the Esmeraldas Refinery, which took effect on March 5, as confirmed by the public company's manager, María Daniela Conde. This declaration comes in response to a fire that broke out on Sunday night, March 1, in the Viscorreductora 1 Unit (Sevia 1). The fire was brought under control after two hours of intervention from the fire department and technical teams, with no reported injuries to personnel.

The authorities from Petroamazonas indicated that while there was significant damage to the Sevia 1 Unit, collateral damage also occurred to the Non-Catalytic Units 1 and 2. This incident has raised concerns over the safety protocols and operational readiness of the refinery, which is a crucial infrastructure for the country’s oil processing and economy. Emergency measures are being implemented to ensure rapid recovery and return to normal operations, with the Crudo 2 and Vacío 2 units expected to gradually resume functionality starting March 16.

This situation illustrates ongoing challenges faced by Petroamazonas in maintaining the safety and reliability of their facilities. With the Esmeraldas Refinery being one of Ecuador's key oil refineries, the implications of such incidents can be far-reaching, potentially affecting oil supply stability and national energy security. The need for stringent safety measures and infrastructure upgrades becomes even more pressing in light of these events.