Ecuador legislators raise concerns over Sacha oil field agreement

Ecuadorian legislators from the Revolución Ciudadana party have announced plans to investigate a new oil agreement involving the Sacha field, the country’s highest-producing oil reservoir. Legislators Nanki Saant and Juan Andrés González expressed concerns that the deal could compromise national sovereignty and reduce state revenue available for public services such as health, education, and security. Saant warned that foreign capital participation might undermine the Amazon Law, which prioritizes local employment and businesses in the region.

Critics have characterized the agreement as a threat to national heritage, with González alleging that the deal could allow wealth to be transferred to transnational companies and tax havens. The Confederation of Kichwa Peoples of Ecuador (Ecuarunari) also requested more transparency regarding the terms of the agreement and its intended beneficiaries.

Technical data indicates that the Sacha field, located in Orellana province, has seen production increases, averaging 71,536 barrels per day between January and August 2026. However, experts from the Escuela Politécnica Nacional note that maintaining or increasing production will depend on significant investment, technological application, and managing the natural decline of a field that has been active since 1972.