Peru's Norperuano Oil Pipeline Hit by Five More Illegal Siphonings

Peru's Norperuano Oil Pipeline (ONP) has been plagued by illegal siphonings, with Petroperu discovering five clandestine connections across section II of the pipeline in Sechura province between June and July. The latest connection was found on July 27 after a drop in pressure.

A metal structure with eight pipes welded to the oil pipeline and a 280-meter hose were discovered, which 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.

The ONP spans over 1,100 kilometers and comprises three sections: Section I, Section II, and North Branch. Since 2014, Petroperu has documented 87 third-party-related incidents across the ONP, resulting in thousands of barrels lost.