Leakages in Peru's main pipeline have spilled at least 3,000 barrels of crude oil into the Amazon region, polluting the Chiriaco and Morona rivers in the northwestern part of the country. At least eight indigenous communities rely on the two rivers for their water supply, and heavy rains throughout the region have hindered attempts to contain the spill.
Petroperu, the state-owned company that operates the pipeline, said that the first rupture was caused by a landslide, but the reason for the subsequent leakages remains unclear, the BBC reports. Peru's health ministry has declared a water quality emergency in five districts situated near the spill, and national environmental regulator OEFA has said that Petroperu could face fines of up to 60m soles ($17 million U.S.) if tests confirm that the spills, which occurred in late January and early February, have affected the health of local communities.
"It's important to note that the spills... are not isolated cases. Similar emergencies have emerged as a result of defects in sections of the pipeline," OEFA said in a statement.
Petroperu has promised a complete cleanup and is also providing food and water to affected communities. The damage has stopped the transportation of up to 6,000 barrels of oil a day, and it could take "some time" to resume operations, company president German Velasquez said. He also said that the company would be conducting an evaluation of the pipeline, which was built in the 1970s, in order to prevent future spills, according to the Guardian. This process could take up to two months.
The spills have occurred during Petroperu's preparations to partake in oil production with a private partner after more than 20 years of mostly refining, commercializing and transporting crude. The company was also planning to put up to 49 percent of its actions on Lima's stock exchange, Reuters explains.
The company has also faced criticism over reports that Petroperu paid children to clean up the sludge. Velasquez has denied the accusations but has said that he is considering firing four company officials, including one who may have allowed children to collect the oil.
