Ecopetrol Halts Pipeline Operations Following Explosive Attack and Oil Spill

Ecopetrol has halted operations on a pipeline transporting oil from the Cira Infantas field in Colombia after an explosive attack caused an oil spill. While no injuries were reported, the incident has resulted in environmental damage, highlighting the ongoing threats to oil operations in the region.

(Reuters) — A pipeline moving oil from the Cira Infantas field in Colombia was hit by explosives early on Wednesday, state-run producer Ecopetrol said, causing an oil spill that forced it to pause pumping.

It was not immediately clear who conducted the attack, but such attacks on oil operations are common in Colombia, largely by guerrilla groups at odds with the government.

There were no injuries or fatalities resulting from Wednesday's attack on the pipeline, which transports crude from the El Centro district to the Barrancabermeja refinery in Santander, Ecopetrol said.

However, there was "environmental damage" owing to the oil spill, the company said, without providing detail on the volume spilled.

The Cira Infantas field, Colombia's oldest, produces about 28,000 barrels of crude per day and is often targeted by attacks.

Ecopetrol controls 52% of the Cira Infantas field while private operator SierraCol Energy controls the remaining 48%.