PANAMA CITY, PANAMA / HOUSTON, TEXAS (Editors at Energy Analytics Institute, 6.Jun.2025, Words: 585) — In 1914, Venezuela’s first important heavy oil field, Mene Grande, was discovered. Initial production from the shallow sands located at 550ft averaged 264 barrels per day (b/d) per well of oil with API gravity down to 10.5°. In 1956, steam injection was tested in Mene Grande; however, steam from the shallow formation erupted at the surface. Injection wells were later introduced to further release pressure and they produced oil. This led to the fortuitous discovery of the benefits of cyclic steam injection, sometimes called “huff and puff” or “steam-soak.”
Venezuela is blessed with numerous heavy-oil reservoirs, but none compares to the largest accumulation of heavy and ultra-heavy oil in the world – the 55,000 km2 (21,240 sq. mile) Orinoco heavy oil belt, also known as the Faja.
