Ecuador starts fracking in Amazon rainforest

Ecuador has initiated hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in the Amazon rainforest for the first time, marking a significant development in the country’s oil production efforts. The new fracking operation is located in the Amazonian province of Sucumbios, near the border with Colombia, specifically at Block 57 - Shushufindi Libertador. The well is already producing over 930 barrels of oil per day, according to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the project is being carried out in partnership with a subsidiary of China’s national petroleum corporation, CCDC. Fracking involves extracting oil and natural gas by injecting water and chemicals at high pressure to fracture underground rock formations. While it can boost oil output, the technique has raised environmental concerns due to its heavy water usage, potential chemical contamination, and the risk of inducing micro-earthquakes. These environmental risks have intensified opposition from Indigenous communities and environmental groups, who have protested against the government’s expansion of oil exploration in the Amazon. Ecuador’s crude oil production has declined over the past decade, falling to approximately 466,000 barrels per day in January 2026, a 13% decrease attributed to aging infrastructure and insufficient investment. Oil remains a crucial source of export revenue for the country, prompting the government under President Daniel Noboa to prioritize increased funding for oil exploration and infrastructure improvements. The administration is also seeking to attract more foreign investment to revitalize the sector. However, the push to expand oil extraction in the ecologically sensitive Amazon region has sparked significant controversy. Indigenous leaders and environmentalists warn that increased drilling and fracking could cause irreversible damage to the rainforest and threaten local communities. This tension highlights the ongoing challenge Ecuador faces in balancing economic development with environmental protection and Indigenous rights.