Public engagement advancing for Peru Amazon upstream block

Peru’s energy and mines ministry (Minem) has mandated the establishment of a multisector workgroup to address demands of communities which are part of prior consultation for block 8.

The upstream acreage covers 182,348ha in the northern Amazon region of Loreto.

The group’s participants will include representatives from Minem and other ministries, hydrocarbons licensing authority Perupetro, regional and local governments, and indigenous communities.

The group will have 180 days to coordinate, analyze and draft proposals related to potable water, health and education, as well as territorial and environmental issues, among others.

Last month, Minem announced the completion of prior consultation with 44 indigenous communities in the area.

There has been no production at the block since April 2020 after Pluspetrol Norte announced its departure following a years-long environmental dispute. Restrictions due to COVID-19 also impacted activity.

Perupetro is currently finalizing an agreement with Upland Oil & Gas to operate block 8 after an initial agreement with PetroTal fell through.

In other community outreach developments, during the fourth session of the Perupetro-led administration board for the social development fund of block 131, which covers the regions of Huánuco and Ucayali, consultative committees were established with residents in Macuya, Los Ángeles and Primavera.

The government agency also renewed for three years (2024-27) an interinstitutional cooperation agreement with Repsol, and the community monitoring teams of Bajo Urubamba related to the oversight of block 57.