# YPFB hydrocarbon exploration and fuel crisis management

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ypfb-hydrocarbon-and-fuel-management-operations
> Updated: 2026-09-08T00:20:53.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) has undertaken various operational initiatives involving hydrocarbon exploration and fuel management in Bolivia.

In the Subandino Norte region, YPFB and its subsidiary YPFB Andina S.A. conducted geological survey campaigns in the Lliquimuni and El Pelado areas to evaluate hydrocarbon potential and identify access routes for future drilling.

To address a growing fuel crisis marked by diesel shortages and systemic control failures, YPFB has implemented an integrated online monitoring system. This system tracks fuel distribution in real time from assignment to service stations to improve traceability and combat illegal stockpiling and resale at inflated prices. This follows an intervention where authorities identified that 22 million liters of fuel were diverted.

To mitigate shortages, YPFB plans to increase crude oil refining by 10,000 barrels per day, a move projected to generate $49 million annually. This strategy involves utilizing underperforming refineries in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz to bolster the national diesel supply. Concurrently, the Chamber of Agro-Industrial Producers (CAO) has called for opening the fuel market to private sector participation in importing and refining to ensure a consistent supply.

## Claims

- YPFB's installed refining capacity is approximately 57,000 barrels per day. (single source)
- Only 38% of refining capacity has been used so far in 2026 due to lack of raw materials. (single source)
- An extra 10,000 barrels of refining per day is expected to benefit the country by $49 million. (single source)
- 22 million liters of fuel were diverted during the intervention of YPFB. (single source)
- The B-Sisa system is operating at 5% capacity. (single source)
- The private sector should be allowed to participate in fuel import, refining, and marketing. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: YPFB implements new controls to combat Bolivia fuel crisis

Bolivia's state oil company, YPFB, is implementing new monitoring systems and increasing crude refining to combat diesel shortages, fuel diversion, and illegal stockpiling.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ypfb-implements-real-time-monitoring-to-track-fuel-distribution-in-bolivia

### 2026-08-26: YPFB conducts geological surveys in Bolivia's Subandino Norte

YPFB has completed geological surveys in Bolivia's Lliquimuni and El Pelado areas to assess hydrocarbon potential and prepare for future exploratory drilling in the Subandino Norte region.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ypfb-conducts-geological-surveys-in-bolivias-subandino-norte

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Cite as: YPFB hydrocarbon exploration and fuel crisis management. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ypfb-hydrocarbon-and-fuel-management-operations