ENAP announces significant oil discovery at Pambil A-1 in Ecuador’s Amazon region, expanding production potential

The Chilean state-owned Empresa Nacional del Petróleo (ENAP) has confirmed a notable oil discovery at the exploratory Pambil A-1 well, located at the southern edge of Block 47 in Orellana province, eastern Ecuador. The well marks the first exploration success near the Culebra-Yulebra geological structure, adjacent to Block 61, and is part of ENAP’s intensified exploration efforts initiated in 2023 under its broader program to expand hydrocarbon reserves in Ecuador. ENAP currently produces approximately 30,000 barrels per day in Ecuador, with 11,500 barrels daily generated within Block 47. Since commencing operations in Ecuador in 2003, the company has cumulatively produced 140 million barrels, yielding a net positive cash flow of US$473 million after dividend remittances.

The Pambil A-1 result opens access to a new hydrocarbon development area expected to enhance ENAP’s production portfolio in the country, where it operates 100% interest blocks including Mauro Dávalos Cordero (MDC), Paraíso Biguno Huachito (PBH), and Intracampos. The next operational phase involves assessing production data to formulate a development plan for the field, which requires evaluation and approval from Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment and Energy before commercial exploitation can proceed. The Ministry emphasized rigorous regulatory oversight, ensuring environmental compliance, adherence to international technological standards, and respect for community interests in the Amazon region.

This discovery aligns with ENAP’s Enap 2040 strategic framework aimed at diversifying revenue streams and strengthening sustainability by expanding beyond Chile’s borders. The integration of new exploratory successes like Pambil A-1 reflects the strategy’s commitment to augmenting long-term production capabilities and cementing ENAP’s role as a key foreign hydrocarbon operator in Ecuador. The company is one of 14 private operators active in the Ecuadorian Amazon and was recently recognized by the Ecuadorian government for its leading private sector contribution to national oil production. The finding also signals potential for attracting further upstream investment activity in Ecuador’s oil sector amid tightening exploration landscapes globally.