Protests by indigenous people brought operation at PetroTal’s Block 95, Peru’s largest oil field to a halt. The block is located in the Maranon Basin in the northern Amazon rainforest. Canadian PetroTal pumped about 10,000 bpd of crude from the block in the first quarter but halted operation in early May due to the coronavirus pandemic before reopening in mid-July.
PetroTal on August 10 said it would press charges against the protesters and expected the closure to last until the inquiry into the event is completed. The company has also evacuated all of its non-essential personnel from the site.
According to the Peruvian Hydrocarbons Society, the protest against PetroTal’s operation was linked to a similar attack that halted production at the state-owned oil company’s North Peruvian Oil Pipeline several days earlier. The group urged the authorities to investigate the event to restore peace amid the health and economic crisis in Peru.
Local Indigenous rights organization ORPIO also demanded a full investigation on the shooting and held the perpetrators accountable. Peruvian Energy & Mines Minister Luis Miguel said a government commission would seek talks with the indigenous community which also requested for medical assistance amid the pandemic.
The indigenous community has been protesting against environmental contamination caused by the oil industry and the government’s failure in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The violent protest in PetroTal’s Block 95 involved about 70 villagers armed with shotguns and spears, with three of them dead and six policemen injured.
