Ombudsman demands action over Peru pipeline spills

Peru's congress must analyze and debate a report prepared by a multiparty commission to investigate the causes and responsibilities in the increase in oil spills, which are being attributed to attacks by third parties.

Ombudsman Defensoría del Pueblo made the call following a new incident at state oil company Petroperú's Nor Peruano oil pipeline (ONP).

The NOC has not complied with a 10-year old supreme decree that regulates the transport of piped hydrocarbons, according to the watchdog, which adds that it has asked the public ministry to investigate the crimes associated with the continuous attacks.

The ombudsman also has called on the energy and mines and environment ministries to lead a strategy to prevent such intentional attacks, and added that it is implementing an oil spill observatory.

Petroperú president Luis García Rosell said recently that approximately 62% of all ONP incidents in 40 years of operation were caused by third parties, 26% due to geological faults and the balance related to maintenance.

Plans are under development to modernize the pipeline and extend its reach to reduce transport costs.

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