Landslide in the ‘Reventador’ broke the SOTE

Trans-Ecuadorian System oil pipeline (SOTE)

A huge mudslide broke the  Trans-Ecuadorian System oil pipeline (SOTE) and interrupted the  road from Quito to Lago Agrio.

Untill the moment it hasn’t been reported  human casualties. The landslide did not destroy homes and it is unknown how many barrels of crude oil were spilled, the time that will take to repair the pipeline and if oil exports be affected. There is environmental damage that is being evaluated.

Through the SOTE is delivered the production of crude oil from Lago Agrio (Sucumbios) to the port of Balao (Esmeraldas).

Yesterday, until 22:00 the vehicular passage was restricted. The accident occurred at 09:30 and immediately machinery of Petroecuador, of provincial and cantonal authorities began cleaning and replace 150 meters of pipeline.

In 2008 there was another break of the SOTE also within the surroundings of the Reventador with serious environmental damage.