Six months after securing the contract extensions for Libertador and Shushufindi, the teams on the ground reflect on the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Tecpetrol has been operating in Ecuador’s Amazon region for years, but the recent extensions of the Libertador and Shushufindi service contracts have given both operations fresh momentum and renewed confidence in the future, fueling optimism for the teams involved.

For Sebastián Galli, Commercial and Planning Sr. Manager of the Shushufindi Consortium, the renewals mark the beginning of a period filled with exciting opportunities and challenges. “As a mature field, our focus is on finding new ways to improve productivity and create value,” he says. “That’s what makes the portfolio of projects ahead of us so attractive, and it represents a significant opportunity for the company.”

Securing the extension was both a professional milestone and a personal achievement for Galli, given the complexity of the renegotiation process and the relevance of Tecpetrol’s presence in Ecuador. “Our work goes far beyond the operation itself, as it affects many people, from employees to contractors and the surrounding communities,” he says. “It's gratifying to know that what we do helps create opportunities and make a difference in people's lives.”

Manuel Muslera, Senior Facilities Manager at Shushufindi, says his area is already preparing for the next phase of development, advancing the procurement of equipment and materials for the construction projects planned for 2027 and 2028.

“The most important project is the expansion of the water treatment plant at one of the field stations, which will increase pumping and treatment capacity by 35%,” says Muslera. “To achieve that, we need to install three new high-pressure, high-volume pumps. We have several projects on the go, but this is the one that will demand the most from us.”

At Libertador, Michielle Zurita, Commercial and Planning Sr. Manager, says the contract extension has prompted a strong sense of optimism about the future. “What excites us most is what lies ahead,” she says. “We are restarting production activities that, if they deliver the results we expect, will open up new opportunities for the business. This field has always surprised us—in the nicest possible way—and what we’re seeing from these new investments suggests there is still a great deal more to develop.”

Zurita also highlights the strength and continuity of the team behind the operation, as many of the professionals she works with have been part of Campo Libertador since Tecpetrol began operating there in 2012. “Over the years, we’ve built a really strong team and developed a deep understanding of the field and the unique challenges it presents,” she says. “We wanted to remain part of its future and continue building on the work we've done here, so the contract extension was welcome news for all of us.”

On the Health, Safety and Environment front, Ronald Manosalvas, HSE Sr. Manager, points out that few companies in Ecuador operate under an integrated management system like Tecpetrol’s, which covers all activities and is certified under ISO 9001 for quality, ISO 14001 for environmental management and ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety.

“Our responsibility goes beyond compliance,” he says. “We’re always looking for ways to improve, while maintaining a firm commitment to our people and the environment where we operate. Ecuador’s Amazon region is a remarkable place, and protecting it is simply part of our job.”