Ecuador's government will assume control of the country's OCP heavy crude oil pipeline for six months, the Energy and Mines Ministry announced Sunday.

The move comes after a mediation agreement was reached with OCP Ecuador, a private consortium that previously operated the pipeline. 

Following the announcement, the government will oversee operations until a new tender process is launched for the OCP’s pipeline, which has been operating below the intended capacity of 450,000 barrels per day. 

The transfer of control was originally scheduled for Nov. 30, but the government did not specify a duration for its management of the infrastructure after OCP Ecuador's contract with the government expired on January 20, 2024.