Cano Limon pipeline attacked

The news sources have reported that an Ecopetrol source stated that the attack took place in Saravena, in the Arauca province, which is located in eastern Colombia and near the Venezuelan border. The attack did not cause an oil leak as oil was not being pumped at the time of the attack.

Colombia reports added: “The group used ‘improvised explosive devices’ on the pipeline, according to authorities.”

Colombian military authorities believe that one of the country’s largest guerilla armies, the National Liberation Army (or the ELN), was behind the bombing of the oil pipeline on 4 October.

The ELN regularly attack oil installations, despite announced peace talks with the government. The ELN have not claimed the attack. However, if they are responsible it would be their second bombing of Cano Limon-Covenas in the past three months.

Moreover, this it would mark the end of a ceasefire, which had been in effect from 30 September to 5 October. The ceasefire was enacted due to a plebiscite on 2 October, where a majority of voters rejected a peace deal agreed upon by the federal government and the FARC guerillas.

The 485 mile (780 km) pipeline has the ability to transport up to 210 000 bpd of crude from oil fields operated by US-based Occidental Petroleum to the port of Covenas.

The attack also forced the shutdown of the Bicentenario pipeline, which transports approximately 120 000 bpd of Llanos crude into Cano Limon-Covenas.

Ecopetrol has been reported to have stated that it would be sending staff to the site to repair tubing, which usually takes several days, depending on security conditions. Production and exports were not affected by the attack.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/06102016/cano-limon-pipeline-attacked/