Peru oil field beset by violent protests

Spanish Market: Crude oil
09/08/20

Several indigenous protesters were killed and six police officers injured early today in a clash near block 95 operated by Canadian independent PetroTal in Peru's northern jungle state of Loreto.

Peru's interior ministry reported that around 70 people armed with spears and pellet guns surrounded the block late yesterday demanding that PetroTal halt operations.

The episode is the latest flare-up in a long-running indigenous conflict that has escalated over the past year. In the weekend's violent clash, the Kukama indigenous community was said to be protesting against the state for failing to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and for environmental contamination caused by the oil industry.

The site around block 95 descended into a tense calm this afternoon ahead of the arrival of government commission, led by the culture ministry, to negotiate. The talks are among the first challenges for a new cabinet in Lima sworn in last week.

The incident drew conflicting accounts, with authorities claiming protesters fired on police officers, while the local organization of indigenous communities, Orpio, accused PetroTal security guards of opening fire. The ministry reported two deaths, but Orpio lists three dead.

PetroTal did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But the Peruvian Hydrocarbons Society, an industry group, said the incident was part of chain of events led by indigenous communities to force the state to comply with its plan to address the needs of communities in the oil-producing jungle region.

The group called for an impartial and thorough investigation "at this crucial moment in the health and economic crisis that threatens Peru."

Open and close

PetroTal reopened wells on its 40mn bl Bretaña field in mid-July after more than two months in anticipation of state-owned PetroPeru's restart of the 100,000 b/d northern crude pipeline to the coast. The 1,100km (684mi) pipeline was closed in May. The restart was supposed to allow PetroPeru to offer more medium sweet Bretaña crude on the spot market.

PetroPeru restarted commercial operations on the line on 1 August, but was forced to close it again within 24 hours when indigenous protestors took over a pumping station. The pipeline remains closed.

Besides PetroTal, whose operations averaged 10,000 b/d at the start of the year, other pipeline users are fellow Canadian independent Frontera for 10,000 b/d block 192, Argentina's Pluspetrol Norte for 5,000 b/d block 8, and European independent Perenco for 1,300 b/d block 67. The three blocks remain closed.

By Lucien Chauvin

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

15/01/25

IEA warns of supply squeeze from Russia, Iran sanctions

London, 15 January (Argus) — The IEA sees a slightly tighter oil market this year than it previously forecast and said new US sanctions on Russia and Iran could further squeeze balances. The outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden announced additional sanctions on Russia's energy exports earlier this month, and moved to tighten sanctions on Iran's oil exports in December. "We maintain our supply forecasts for both countries until the full impact of sanctions becomes more apparent, but the new measures could result in a tightening of crude and product balances," the IEA said today in its latest monthly Oil Market Report (OMR). But the effect of incoming US President Donald Trump on Russian and Iranian supply remains a key variable. As things stand, the IEA projects a 720,000 b/d supply surplus this year — showing a well cushioned oil market. This is around 230,000 b/d less than its previous forecast. For 2024, the IEA's balances show a small supply surplus of 20,000 b/d. The Paris-based agency sees global oil supply growing by 1.8mn b/d to 104.7mn b/d in 2025, compared to growth of 1.9mn b/d in its December report. Almost all of the 2025 growth — 1.5mn b/d — will come from non-Opec+ countries such as US, Brazil, Guyana, Canada and Argentina. The IEA continues to assume all current Opec+ cuts will remain in place this year, although the alliance plans to start increasing output from April. The IEA said global oil supply grew by 650,000 b/d in 2024. The agency sees global oil demand growing by 1.05mn b/d, down by 30,000 b/d from its December forecast. This should see oil demand reach 104.0mn b/d, with most of the gains driven by "a gradually improving economic outlook for developed economies, while lower oil prices will also incentivise consumption." China, which has long driven global oil demand growth but whose economy is now slowing, will add 220,000 b/d in 2025, compared with 180,000 b/d in 2024 and 1.35mn b/d in 2023. But the IEA revised up its oil demand growth estimates for 2024 by 90,000 b/d to 940,000 b/d. This was mostly due to better-than-expected growth in the fourth quarter, which at 1.5mn b/d was highest since the same period in 2023 and 260,000 b/d above than its previous forecast. This increase was mostly due to lower fuel prices, colder weather and abundant petrochemical feedstocks, the IEA said. The IEA said global observed oil stocks increased by 12.2mn bl in November, with higher crude stocks on land and water offsetting refined product draws. It said preliminary data show a further stock build in December. By Aydin Calik Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Canada's tariff response may be ‘unprecedented’: Ford

14/01/25

Canada's tariff response may be ‘unprecedented’: Ford

Calgary, 14 January (Argus) — Tariffs threatened by president-elect Donald Trump against Canada will hurt the province of Ontario the most, the premier of the country's most populated province said this week, so all options must be considered should retaliation be required. "We have to use all the tools possible," said Ontario premier Doug Ford in 13 January press conference, less than one week before Trump's inauguration and the potential imposition of 25pc tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. "We might have to do things that are unprecedented," which could include withholding shipments of minerals, Ford said. Ontario accounts for about 40pc of Canada's gross domestic product (GDP) and is known for its manufacturing, automotive and critical mineral industries. Ford's position runs in contrast to comments made earlier by Alberta premier Danielle Smith that cutting off Canadian energy flows to the US is a non-starter and would not happen . "Well, that's Danielle Smith, she's speaking for Alberta, she's not speaking for the country," Ford said. "I'm speaking for Ontario, that's going to get hurt a lot more. They aren't going to go after the oil, they're coming after Ontario." "I want to ship him more critical minerals, I want to ship him more energy, but make no mistake about it, if they're coming full-tilt at us I won't hesitate to pull out every single tool we have until they can feel the pain," Ford said. "But that's the last thing I want to do." Smith met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida over the weekend, which was a welcome move by Ford, who said he has been working the phones calling American politicians daily. Even so, Canada's response needs to come from the federal government, which has so far been lacking, in Ford's view. "This is their jurisdiction," said Ford. "They need to come up with a strong plan. They need to be doing everything, every single day to make sure we avoid these tariffs." Premiers will meet with prime minister Justin Trudeau this week to strategize how to deal with potential tariffs. Trudeau said last week he planned to resign amid low polls and party infighting with a new leader to be chosen on 9 March. By Brett Holmes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US tariffs on Canada likely, oil cut-off not: Alberta

13/01/25

US tariffs on Canada likely, oil cut-off not: Alberta

Calgary, 13 January (Argus) — Tariffs threatened by the US against Canada will become a reality, according to the premier of oil-rich Alberta , but any retaliation will not entail cutting off energy exports. "They're likely to come in on January 20th," Alberta premier Danielle Smith said of the tariffs on Monday after she met with US president-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida over the weekend. "I haven't seen anything that suggests that he's changing course." Trump in late-November said he plans to impose a 25pc tariff against all imports from Canada, citing inadequate border controls and a US trade deficit. Canada has since pledged to spend more money on border security while Smith reckons Canada would have a deficit if not for energy trade. "We actually buy more goods and services from the US than they buy from us," Smith said in an online interview with reporters. "We actually have $58bn in a trade deficit with the Americans when you take energy out." Smith wanted assurances the US is still interested in buying Canadian oil and gas, with her province being the heart of the country's energy sector. "Oil and gas is going to be key for being able to get a breakthrough, once the tariffs do come in, in getting them off," said Smith. Canadian foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly said in a 12 January interview broadcast on CTV that the country could consider stopping the flow of Canadian energy in retaliation to tariffs. But Smith said that would not happen since the oil are owned by the province, not the federal government. "[The federal government] will have a national unity crisis on their hands at the same time as having a crisis with our US trade partners," said Smith. About 80pc of Canada's 5mn b/d of crude production is consumed by refineries in the US, with many in the Midcontinent having no practical alternative , according to the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM). The region imported 2.7mn b/d of Canadian crude in October, the latest data point from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). "I hope cooler heads prevail," said Smith, adding that Trump seemed interested in buying more oil and gas. By Brett Holmes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Mexico’s industrial output up 0.1pc in November

13/01/25

Mexico’s industrial output up 0.1pc in November

Mexico City, 13 January (Argus) — Mexico's industrial production edged up 0.1pc in November, as gains in autos and other manufacturing offset weaker construction, national statistics agency Inegi said. Mexican bank Banorte described the monthly increase as "rather small," noting it followed a 1.1pc decline in October and was largely driven by base comparison effects. The bank added that the overall industrial outlook remained "fragile." Manufacturing, which represents 63pc of Inegi's seasonally adjusted industrial activity indicator (IMAI), increased by 0.7pc in November, though it failed to fully recover from a 1.7pc drop in October. Transportation manufacturing, a key subsector accounting for 12pc of the sector, rose by 3.8pc after a steep 4.3pc decline the prior month. Despite recent volatility, Mexico's auto sector achieved record annual light vehicle production in 2024, reaching 3.99mn units. Yet, automaker association AMIA warned of potential challenges in 2025 because of economic uncertainty, which could affect investment and demand. Mining, which makes up 12pc of the IMAI, increased by 0.1pc in November following a 1.1pc decline in October. Growth was driven by a 41.4pc jump in mining-related services, while oil and gas output fell by 2.4pc, marking a fifth consecutive monthly decline for hydrocarbons. Construction, representing 19pc of the IMAI, contracted by 1.8pc in November after modest gains of 0.2pc in October and 1.1pc in September. As industry eyes potential policy shifts under US president-elect Donald Trump, Banorte projected a weak start to 2025 for Mexico's industrial output. But it expects momentum to build as government spending on priority infrastructure projects "moves more decisively." By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Trudeau exit may spur Canadian energy growth

13/01/25

Trudeau exit may spur Canadian energy growth

Calgary, 13 January (Argus) — Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau's place in federal politics is winding down after nine years of driving change in climate policy, but those environmental advances came at a cost for the world's fourth-largest oil producer, helping to stifle foreign investment in the country's oil and gas sector. Support for Trudeau fell nationwide over the past year, as inflation and rising housing costs fueled by a relaxed immigration policy and carbon taxes became too much for many to bear. Trudeau, seemingly immune to scandal and high-profile exits on his team, was dealt his biggest blow when his deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland resigned in December, citing his approach to the "aggressive economic nationalism" of US president-elect Donald Trump's threatened trade tariffs, prompting his 6 January decision to step down. Canadian crude producers still managed to lift output by 30pc during Trudeau's tenure since 2015, even as major foreign players abandoned the oil sands for friendlier jurisdictions and upstream projects and pipelines were either mothballed or cancelled outright. Provincial jurisdiction over resources prompted frequent fights between Trudeau and Albertan premiers who guarded their claim to energy and the right to explore and extract within their borders. "We could've done so much more," Alberta premier Danielle Smith said hours after Trudeau's announcement, lamenting missed opportunities for Canada's oil patch over the past decade, including the failed Energy East, Northern Gateway and Keystone XL export pipelines. A tanker ban, tighter regulation and an onerous project approval process were among the tools Trudeau used to try to rein in the oil and gas sector, saying in 2017 that Canada's oil sands needed to be "phased out" before naming a former Greenpeace director as his environment minister. Smith did give Trudeau a nod for his commitment to keeping midstream giant Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline from shutting down, and for helping to get the massive Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) pipeline and Coastal GasLink export projects from Alberta to Canada's Pacific coast across the finish line. But while Smith welcomes Trudeau's resignation, Canada now faces a period of lame duck leadership before it holds federal elections, while cross-border tensions are rising. Your new best frenemy Its largest trading partner is quickly becoming its newest antagonist, with Trump threatening a 25pc tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico. Unencumbered movement of oil is critical on both sides of the border, with 80pc of Canada's 5mn b/d of crude production aimed at refineries in the US. Many landlocked Canadian producers have no practical alternative, like refiners in the US midcontinent connected by pipeline. As political chaos unfolds in Ottawa, Trump has lobbed insults at Trudeau and made calls for the northern neighbour to become the US' "51st state", a taunt that has struck a nerve in Canada. "There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the US," Trudeau said on X on 7 January. "Trump's comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country," wrote minister of foreign affairs Melanie Joly. Trump will have spotted Canada's weakness months ago, with support for Trudeau tumbling to the benefit of the Conservative Party and its leader Pierre Poilievre. Recent polls indicate the centre-right party would win a majority of seats in the House of Commons if an election were held today. That is likely to happen in May, assuming opposition parties bring down the government when Parliament resumes in late March. Should Poilievre win, Trump will have a partner better aligned on more policies than Trudeau was, but the suggestion that Canada could become part of the US will get the same response. "We will never be the 51st state. Period," Poilievre said. His primary ambitions are to undo Trudeau's work, with the federal carbon tax being the first to go. Rescinding the tanker ban, killing proposed emissions caps and promoting pipeline construction are also on the agenda. Poilievre plans to "take back control" of Canada's resources through permitting and cutting taxes on pipeline and LNG projects to become less reliant on the US. "Canadians will give me a mandate to take the country in a completely opposite direction," Poilievre said on the Jordan B Peterson Podcast earlier this month, describing how vanquishing Trudeau's energy policy will "cause a massive resource boom in our country." The lengthy exchange touched on minimising government, artificial intelligence and immigration, and was shared by Trump's ally, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, who called it a "great interview". Priming for another Pacific pipeline Canada's energy industry has returned to profit and received a much-needed boost from the federally owned 590,000 b/d TMX pipeline, but rising oil sands production means the newly commissioned system is destined to fill up soon. The prospect of an industry-friendly federal government reinvigorating a relatively dormant midstream sector is positive for investment in Canada, and the US could play an unintended role in deciding where any pipelines are proposed. Enbridge and the Alberta government are teaming up to find ways to expand pipeline capacity. Smith singled out the US as a customer she wants to enhance ties with amid looming tariff threats, but those threats may prompt a revival of pipeline projects to Canada's west coast to reduce dependence on the US market. Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline was approved in 2014, but a Liberal Party led by Trudeau came to power in 2015 with sweeping changes for the oil and gas sector, including a tanker ban on the country's Pacific coast, effectively killing the project. The C$7.9bn ($7.3bn) Northern Gateway was not in the interest of local communities, Trudeau said in late 2016, when he officially reversed the previous government's approval. The pipeline would have shipped 525,000 b/d of diluted bitumen westward and 193,000 b/d of imported condensate eastbound to the oil sands region for blending. Construction would have avoided large populations and was seen as the most practical option for getting more Canadian crude to Asia-Pacific. Its northern terminal may not have had the same tanker limitations as TMX faces at Vancouver, and could have seen reduced voyage times. Enbridge now has added support from the Alberta government by way of crude volumes the province collects as tax from some oil companies in lieu of cash payments. These in-kind barrels would be the first to backstop a major pipeline expansion by Enbridge, giving both the midstream company and other producers something to latch onto to advance a future project. This is a new approach for Alberta, after sacrificing C$1.5bn it paid in a last-ditch effort to keep the doomed 830,000 b/d Keystone XL project to the US alive. Outgoing US president Joe Biden revoked that troubled line's permit in 2021. Like Keystone XL, Northern Gateway is no more. Reviving such a project would still require significant stakeholder engagement along any route, and face substantially higher construction costs than a decade ago. The C$34bn TMX put into service in May 2024 was originally pegged at C$5.4bn in 2013, even less than Northern Gateway as TMX was the twinning of an existing system. This would be a big hurdle to clear, even if governments were to allay regulatory concerns. But with an unpredictable Trump returning to the White House, the prospect of shipping more Canadian crude west might soon hold a heightened appeal. By Brett Holmes Canadian oil production Canadian upstream investment Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more