Peru's Norperuano Oil Pipeline Hit by Five More Illegal Siphoning Connections

Petroperu has discovered five new illegal connections used to siphon oil along its Norperuano Oil Pipeline (ONP) in Peru. The latest connection was found on July 27 after a drop in pipeline pressure, according to the company's statement.

The metal structure with eight pipes welded to the oil pipeline and a hose approximately 280 meters long would have been used to transport illegally extracted crude oil to a tanker truck. Criminal groups install these connections to siphon oil directly from the pipeline, causing crude spills and interruptions to pumping or transport operations.

Peru's ONP extends over 1,100 kilometers, with three sections. The longest segment, Section II, is where the illegal connections were found. Petroperu has documented 87 third-party-related incidents along the ONP since 2014, resulting in thousands of barrels lost.