2024-08-29 04:34:48
The attacks, which took place in the Arauca department, were carried out by unknown third parties and have generated significant alarm.
Cenit, a subsidiary of the Ecopetrol Group and responsible for the transportation of hydrocarbons, reported the activation of the Emergency and Contingency Plan (PEC) for the Caño Limón – Coveñas (OCLC) and Bicentenario (OBC) oil pipelines following the confirmation of five attacks on its infrastructure. The attacks, which took place in the department of Arauca, were perpetrated by unknown third parties and have generated a significant alert for both the company and local authorities.
According to information provided by Cenit, three of the attacks were recorded on the Caño Limón – Coveñas oil pipeline, specifically in the villages of El Consuelo, Islas de Bojaba, and La Pava, in the rural area of the municipality of Saravena. The other two attacks were directed against the Bicentenario oil pipeline, in the villages of Palmarito in the municipality of Fortul and Bajo Tamacay in the municipality of Tame. These acts of sabotage not only affect the oil infrastructure, but also have potential repercussions on nearby communities and the environment in the region.
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Emergency and contingency plan
In immediate response to these events, Cenit activated its Emergency and Contingency Plan and communicated the situation to the Disaster Risk Management Councils of the affected municipalities. This plan is designed to mitigate the impact of the attacks and ensure the prompt repair of the oil pipelines, in order to reestablish the transport of hydrocarbons in the shortest possible time.
The National Army has deployed units in the affected areas to secure the zone and allow the entry of technical personnel in charge of repairs. The military presence also seeks to prevent new attacks and guarantee the security of the community while the relief work is carried out.
Cenit called on residents of the affected areas to stay away from the places where the attacks occurred until the repair and damage control work is completed. The company, together with Ecopetrol, expressed its strong rejection of these illegal acts, highlighting that they not only put people’s safety at risk, but also generate serious environmental consequences and affect the economic activities of local communities.
Challenge for energy security
These attacks represent an additional challenge to the country’s energy security, at a time when the oil sector is facing both internal and external pressures. The situation underlines the need to strengthen protection measures for critical infrastructure and to move forward in building a safer environment for the development of economic activities in regions affected by armed conflict and violence.
Cenit and local authorities continue to work together to assess the impact of the attacks and ensure the safety of the infrastructure and surrounding communities, while investigating those responsible for these acts.
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