Ecuador’s Biggest Oil Refinery Stops Operating as Precaution Due to Fire

On Monday, a fire broke out in a fuel oil tank at Ecuador’s largest oil refinery, the Esmeraldas refinery, operated by state-owned Petroecuador. The blaze has been brought under control, according to Petroecuador and Ecuador’s energy minister. As a precautionary measure, all operations at the facility have been temporarily suspended to ensure the safety of the infrastructure and staff.

A view shows the Ecuador's state-run Esmeraldas refinery complex in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, August 15, 2017,

All personnel at the Esmeraldas refinery were evacuated promptly and safely, with no injuries reported. Petroecuador is currently investigating the cause of the fire and assessing any potential damage to the refinery’s infrastructure. The company emphasized the priority of safeguarding its workers and facilities during this incident.

"The Esmeraldas refinery has stopped operation as a precaution for the security of the installations and personnel," Petroecuador stated.

The company is working to determine the extent of the incident and its impact on operations. No further details regarding the timeline for resuming activities have been provided at this time. Authorities are focused on ensuring a thorough evaluation to prevent future risks.