Ecuador says SOTE pipeline repairs ahead of schedule

QUITO, March 2 (Reuters) - Ecuador's repairs on its damaged SOTE pipeline are ahead of schedule and pumping should start late Sunday, Oil Minister Galo Chiriboga told Reuters on Sunday.

He said Petroecuador output will not be disrupted by the early repairs.

Ecuador delayed exports of its Oriente crude after the SOTE pipeline was shut on Thursday due to a mudslide. Petroecuador said that it could start lowering daily output if the line is not fixed by Sunday afternoon because of scarce storage capacity in oil fields.

(Reporting by Alonso Soto; editing by Philip Barbara)