Ecuador's new oil field

President Rafael Correa of Ecuador has inaugurated an oil field in the Amazon jungle that he says will adhere to strict environmental standards while pumping out 13,000 barrels a day.

Correa says that more than an oil field, he is opening a new era in petroleum extraction that will show that oil drilling does not have to be harmful.

He spoke last Thursday at the field about 185 miles (nearly 300 kilometres) east of Ecuador's capital, Quito. The OPEC member's state oil company, Petroecuador, produces about 140,000 barrels of crude daily.

- AP