A report reveals the magnitude of oil spilled after the emergency that occurred on March 13 in El Vergel.

A 60-meter section of the Trans-Ecuadorean Pipeline System (SOTE) ruptured on March 13 in Quinindé (Esmeraldas), causing the spill of approximately 25,116.95 barrels of oil.

This is detailed in a report obtained by El Universo , dated March 20, signed electronically by Petroecuador's Chief of Operations, Luis Roberto Andino. The document was addressed to Petroecuador's Deputy Manager of Oil Pipelines, José Fernando Medina.

The document signed by Andino indicates that the SOTE rupture occurred due to a "landslide" that affected the pipeline in the El Vergel area.

According to the document, the engines were shut down on March 13 at 6:32 p.m., and SOTE operations resumed at 5:38 a.m. on March 19.

Crude oil pumping through the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline resumed after the completion of the work carried out by the Superintendency of Lines and Right of Way on March 19, "for safe operation," the report states.

It also states that the estimated volume of crude oil recovered at the Balao Maritime Terminal and the Esmeraldas Refinery is still "to be determined."

Last week, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Inés Manzano, said that 3,800 barrels of oil had been spilled and that the emergency was caused by "sabotage," according to an intelligence report from the National Police.

This newspaper contacted Petroecuador on Tuesday, March 25, regarding the communication issued by the Chief of Operations. The communications department indicated that the entity will issue an official statement "shortly."