Rocky roads to privatization. (as Peru and Ecuador open their oil industries to private investors) (Brief Article) (Column)

South American neighbors Peru and Ecuador are on the road to opening their oil industries to more private investment.

Both are finding the process as rocky as a path over the Andes.

In Peru, for example, about 2,000 unionized Petroperu workers walked off their jobs for 2 days this month to protest the coming privatization.

Peru's plans

Peru plans next January to sell a 60% interest in each of its two biggest refineries, the 62,000 b/d Talara plant and the 105,000 b/d La Pampilla refinery at Lima. About two dozen potential bidders have expressed interest.

Later, Peru plans to sell 60% of its Block 8 and Block 10 oil fields, a …