But the figures also reveal a worrying outlook for refining data. In the same period of 2023, 13.8 million barrels had been refined and, on the other hand, in 2024 it fell by 12.7% when refining stood at 12 million barrels.

Ecuador's oil production and exports register unusual movements in the first quarter of 2024. While production grows very modestly, exports rise sharply and refining retreats.

In detail, production has grown 5.6% in the first quarter, going from 460,600 barrels per day on average in 2023 to 486,400 barrels in the same period of 2024.

For its part, exports grew 23.2%, since that registered in the first quarter of 2023 was 26.4 million barrels and rose to 32.6 million barrels this year. Although in January that figure was much higher as it was 39.4%, according to data from the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE).

But the figures also reveal a worrying outlook for refining data.

In the first quarter of 2023, 13.8 million barrels had been refined and, on the other hand, in 2024 it fell by 12.7% when refining reached 12 million barrels. The refinery that presented the most problems with a 22% drop in refining was the Esmeraldas refinery.