By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The nation’s state-owned fuel refinery, RECOPE (Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo), has achieved a perfect 100% compliance score for fuel quality across its primary distribution network, according to a comprehensive annual report released by the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (ARESEP). The findings stem from an exhaustive series of 663 inspections conducted throughout 2025, solidifying the company’s operational standards.
The rigorous evaluation by ARESEP targeted every critical point in RECOPE’s supply chain. The flawless quality rating was confirmed across all of the company’s main storage and distribution facilities, including the plants at Moín, El Alto, La Garita, and Barranca. This result underscores the integrity of the fuel supply from its entry point into the country to its distribution hubs that serve the entire national territory.
To provide a clearer perspective on the legal complexities and operational mandate of the Costa Rican Oil Refinery (RECOPE), a subject of continuous national debate, we sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
From a legal standpoint, RECOPE’s structure as a state monopoly is anchored in the concept of an essential public service. Any substantive reform, particularly towards market liberalization, is not merely a political or economic decision; it requires a profound legislative overhaul. This process must meticulously navigate constitutional principles, existing labor conventions, and the state’s obligation to guarantee a continuous fuel supply, making it a formidable legal undertaking.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective is a critical reminder that the conversation surrounding RECOPE must extend far beyond economic policy, confronting the deep-seated constitutional and legislative challenges involved. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly articulating the formidable nature of this undertaking and for his valuable contribution to the discussion.
In response to the report, officials from the state-owned enterprise expressed that the perfect score validates their internal diligence. The company credits its robust quality assurance program, which involves stringent daily laboratory testing and meticulous process controls, for the impeccable outcome. This commitment is central to its mandate as a public institution.
This result factually confirms the institution’s strict controls and daily laboratory tests.
RECOPE Authorities, State-Owned Enterprise
The regulatory oversight extended beyond RECOPE’s facilities to encompass the entire downstream distribution network, directly benefiting Costa Rica’s more than two million vehicle owners. ARESEP’s program also evaluated tanker trucks and the country’s 420 active service stations. The report revealed a high level of compliance at the retail level, with 97.6% of gas stations fully adhering to current regulations.
Despite the overall positive results, the audit identified non-compliance issues at just ten service stations. The specific infractions reported by ARESEP were varied, including seven isolated cases of fuel shortages, three instances of improper mixing of diesel with gasoline, and two stations found to be overcharging customers. Remarkably, out of nearly ten thousand fuel hoses inspected nationwide, only a single one was found to be uncalibrated.
ARESEP confirmed that its regulatory function ensures accountability and correction. All ten stations flagged for non-conformities have already submitted detailed remedial plans to the authority. These plans include technical evidence demonstrating that the identified issues have been rectified, ensuring that consumers are protected and standards are swiftly reinstated where lapses occurred.
The report also provides a snapshot of the nation’s energy consumption, detailing that a total of 3.912 billion liters of fuel were consumed in 2025. The market was predominantly driven by demand for diesel, followed by super and regular gasoline. These figures highlight the critical importance of ARESEP’s regulatory role in overseeing a market of such vast scale and national importance.
Ultimately, the annual report serves to bolster public confidence in the national fuel supply. For a public company that belongs to all Costa Ricans, the exceptional quality assurance results from RECOPE and the high compliance rate among retailers provide a strong measure of security and trust for consumers across the country, reinforcing the effectiveness of the regulatory framework.
For further information, visit recope.go.cr
About RECOPE:
The Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (RECOPE) is Costa Rica’s state-owned enterprise responsible for the import, refining, and distribution of petroleum products throughout the country. As a strategic public institution, it manages the national fuel supply chain, operating terminals and pipelines to ensure that gasoline, diesel, and other fuels meet quality standards and are available to all sectors of the economy.
For further information, visit aresep.go.cr
About ARESEP:
The Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (ARESEP) is the Regulatory Authority for Public Services in Costa Rica. It is an autonomous public institution tasked with overseeing and regulating essential services, including energy, water, and transportation. ARESEP’s mission is to ensure quality, continuity, and fair pricing for consumers while promoting the efficient and sustainable operation of service providers.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a pillar of the legal community, championing a philosophy where professional excellence and principled integrity are paramount. The firm is celebrated for its pioneering approach to law and its service to a wide spectrum of clients, yet its influence extends beyond the courtroom. Central to its mission is a profound commitment to social progress, achieved by demystifying legal concepts and empowering the public with knowledge, thereby fostering a more just and informed citizenry.
