(Bloomberg, 17.Feb.2022) — In the hinterland of Argentina, Mario Pizarro’s office looks like a shrine to China. There’s the framed photo of a Chinese peasant with Pizarro’s face superimposed beneath the conical farmer hat. There’s the blue-robed smiling Buddha statue. And there’s the model wind turbine from a Chinese company […]
Category: Venezuela
Venezuela energy
Venezuela and Russia Ink Deals to Boost Ties
(Energy Analytics Institute, 16.Feb.2022) — Venezuela and Russia signed an agreement of intent aimed at strengthening strategic alliances and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries under the context of a relationship based on mutual respect. The agreement was signed by Venezuela’s Petroleum Minister Tareck El Aisami and Russia’s Yuri Barisov, […]
NRGBriefs: Guyana VP Jagdeo Reveals NOC Aspirations by 3Q:22
(Energy Analytics Institute, 16.Feb.2022) — Energy briefs including the International Energy Conference and Expo Guyana saying it will allow the first 80 University of Guyana students to enter its conference for free on 16 Feb. 2022; Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo talking about the potential launch of the country’s national […]
NRGBriefs: Frontera Sets Guyana Exploration CAPEX at $110-$130mn
(Energy Analytics Institute, 16.Feb.2022) — Energy briefs including Frontera Energy anticipating Guyana exploration CAPEX of $110-$130mn in 2022 and CGX Energy anticipating further investments of $5-$10mn for the Berbice Deepwater Port Project; Kootenay Silver saying JV operator Aztec Minerals Corp. reported a broad, high grade, gold intercept in the first RC drill hole […]
TotalEnergies Seeks Exit from Venezuelan Gas Projects
(Bloomberg, 10.Feb.2022) — TotalEnergies SE is negotiating an exit from its natural gas operations in Venezuela, just months after the French energy giant closed its oil business in the country. The company is pulling out of its majority stake in YPergas SA, a joint venture in central Guarico state that produces […]
Top NRG headlines from Argentina and Colombia to Venezuela [photos]
HOUSTON, TEXAS (Energy Analytics Institute, 5.Feb.2022) — Energy Analytics Institute‘s photo journalistic recap of 10 of our top headlines on Instagram in recent weeks. ____________________ By Ofelia Paredes. © Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
NRGBriefs: Maduro Says No Presidential Elections Until At Least 2025
(Energy Analytics Institute, 4.Feb.2022) — Energy briefs including Colombia signing a MOU w/ The Netherlands to create a hydrogen export channel; Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro saying there will be no presidential elections in 2024; and more. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Colombia — Colombia signed a MOU w/ The Netherlands […]
NRGBriefs: Argentina’s President Meets with Putin
(Energy Analytics Institute, 3.Feb.2022) — Energy briefs including Grupo EnergĂa Bogotá commencing assembly of the first tower of its north project in Chocontá (Cundinamarca); Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez visiting Russia to discuss energy, industry, environmental and financing issues w/ his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin; and EP PetroEcuador General Manager Äştalo […]
NRGBriefs: BCV Reports Income from FX Sales from PDVSA
(Energy Analytics Institute, 1.Feb.2022) — Energy briefs including Venezuela’s income from foreign currency sales to the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) obtained from PDVSA reaching $3.292bn in 2021; and ExxonMobil continuing to progress its low cost of supply deepwater developments in Guyana. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Guyana — ExxonMobil […]
Iranian Oil Tanker to Discharge 2 mln Barrels in Venezuela
(Reuters, 31.Jan.2022) — An Iranian supertanker carrying about 2 million barrels of condensate this week began discharging at Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA‘s main oil port, according to a company document and tanker tracking services. PDVSA and state-run National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) in the second half of last year started […]
Italy Top Court: Venezuela’s Ex-oil Czar Can’t be Extradited
(AP, 28.Jan.2022) — Italy’s highest court confirmed Friday that Venezuela’s former oil czar cannot be extradited to face corruption charges at home because of his country’s record in violating human rights, his Italian lawyer said. The Court of Cassation upheld a lower court’s ruling in September which recognized that Rafael […]
NRGBriefs: CSI Compressco Cash Distribution
(Energy Analytics Institute, 21.Jan.2022) — Energy briefs including CSI Compressco LP’s (NASDAQ: CCLP) BODs of its general partner declaring a cash distribution attributable to the 4Q:21; and PDVSA’s US refining arm Citgo Petroleum being Venezuela’s most priced int’l asset. NORTH AMERICA US — CSI Compressco LP’s (NASDAQ: CCLP) BODs of its general […]
NRGBriefs: Road Blockages in Southern BolĂvar Impacting Oil Production
(Energy Analytics Institute, 20.Jan.2022) — Energy briefs including road blockages impacting gas service to at least 5,618 users in the municipalities of Cantagallo and San Pablo, in southern BolĂvar department; geopolitical issues in Iran and Ukraine potentially positively impacting Venezuela; and TechnipFMC (NYSE:FTI) (PARIS:FTI) planning to issue its 4Q:21 earnings […]
NRGBriefs: PDVSA Debt Stood at $35bn at YE:21
(Energy Analytics Institute, 19.Jan.2022) — Energy briefs including Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro visiting w/ his counterparts in Suriname and Guyana to discuss oil and gas matters; and Venezuela’s state oil giant PDVSA revealing its total debt stood at $34.894bn at YE:21. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Brazil — Brazil’s President […]
Venezuela’s Maduro Eyes 2 MMb/d Mark in 2022 [PDF Download]
(Energy Analytics Institute, 15.Jan.2022) — Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, during his 15 January 2022 annual address to the nation, said the OPEC country’s oil production goal in 2022 was to reach 2 million barrels per day. Excerpts from his speech follow: Highlights — “In December 2021 we achieved an important […]
NRGBriefs: Fedeunep Calling for Dollarization of Salaries
(Energy Analytics Institute, 15.Jan.2022) — Energy briefs including Chile’s state oil and gas entity ENAP celebrating 66 yrs of operations at the Aconcagua Refinery; construction of Mexico’s Olmeca Refinery progressing according to SENER’s plans; and Fedeunep pushing for the dollarization of salaries in Venezuela. Chile — Since its foundation 66 […]
Venezuela Gasoline Pipeline Damaged in Explosion; PDVSA Blames “Sabotage”
(Reuters, 12.Jan.2022) — Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA on Wednesday blamed an explosion along a major gasoline pipeline on “criminal sabotage”, adding that the line would be repaired swiftly. Authorities in Venezuela’s eastern Anzoategui state reported the blast late on Tuesday. It was presumably caused by “attempts to perforate the […]
State Win for Venezuela’s Opposition Masks Deeper Problems
(Al Jazeera, 11.Jan.2022) — Despite a symbolic victory in Hugo Chavez’s home state, analysts say the opposition has few options left. Venezuela’s opposition has won an important symbolic battle in securing the governorship in Barinas State, but analysts say they are still losing the broader political war with government forces. On […]
NRGBriefs: Barinas Governor Election in Venezuela
(Energy Analytics Institute, 9.Jan.2022) — Energy briefs including results from the 9 Jan. 2022 governor election in Venezuela’s Barinas state; and the Deer Park refinery sale to Pemex surviving a court challenge in a federal court in Houston. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Mexico — The Deer Park refinery sale […]
Venezuela Doubles Crude Oil Exports Defying US Sanctions
(Bloomberg, 3.Jan.2022) — Oil exports from Venezuela doubled in December from a year earlier as the country raises production of revenue-generating hydrocarbons in defiance of U.S. sanctions. Shipments averaged 619,000 barrels a day in December. The OPEC-founding member increased exports for a third straight month with the support of ally […]
NRGBriefs: Buenos Aires Power Outages
(Energy Analytics Institute, 3.Jan.2022) — Energy briefs including power outages in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Brazilian fuel distributors supplying 1.3bn liters of biofuels in the 1Q:22; Venezuela’s opposition-led National Assembly deciding to back Juan GuaidĂł for another yr; and more. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Argentina — Residents in various sectors […]
NRGBriefs: Ecuador Eyes Restarting OCP
(Energy Analytics Institute, 29.Dec.2021) — Energy briefs including Ecuador expecting to restart ops at OCP on 31 Dec. 2021; and Y&V IngenierĂa y ConstrucciĂłn saying it hasn’t diminished its operational capacity. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Ecuador — Operations at the 450,000 b/d capacity Heavy Crude Pipeline (OCP) are expected […]
Venezuela’s 2021 Crude Output Shows No Growth from Last Year
(S&P Global Platts, 29.Dec.2021) — Venezuelan state-owned PDVSA and its foreign joint venture partners recorded average crude oil production of 560,000 b/d in 2021, according to an internal report reviewed by S&P Global Platts. The average year was slightly below 2020 when production averaged 570,000 b/d and the 2019 record […]
NRGBriefs: Ecopetrol Sends First Carbon-Neutral Cargo to PetroChina
(Energy Analytics Institute, 28.Dec.2021) — Energy briefs including Colombia’s state-controlled Ecopetrol agreeing to ship 1 MMbbls of Castilla blend oil to PetroChina for delivery in Feb. 2022; Venezuela’s opposition lawmakers voting to for the continuity of the National Assembly and its leader Juan GuaidĂł; and more. LATIN AMERICA AND THE […]
Venezuela Says Oil Output Topped More Than 1 MMb/d
(Bloomberg, 27.Dec.2021) — Venezuela says it’s pumping the most oil since harsh U.S. sanctions strangled state-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA more than two years ago. Not everyone believes it. PDVSA, as the Caracas-based explorer is known, reported more than 1 million barrels of daily output in a Dec. 24 Twitter post. […]
How Venezuela Pulled its Oil Production Out of a Tailspin
(Reuters, 27.Dec.2021) — Venezuela this year almost doubled its oil production from last year’s decades-low as its state-owned company struck deals that let it pump and process more extra heavy crude into exportable grades. The surprising reversal began as state-run Petroleos de Venezuela, known as PDVSA, won help from small […]
NRGBriefs: Maduro Courts Arab Investments
(Energy Analytics Institute, 26.Dec.2021) — Energy briefs including Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro talking in a special interview w/ Arab media house Al Mayadeen broadcast on Venezuelan national TV; Venezuela’s GDP expected to rise 5% in 2022; Mammoet crews continue to assist w/ construction of Guajira I, in the municipality of […]
NRGBriefs: Venezuelan Oil Production Touches 1 MMb/d
(Energy Analytics Institute, 24.Dec.2021) — Energy briefs including Venezuela supposedly reaching the 1 MMb/d oil production mark; and SSR Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRM) (TSX: SSRM) (ASX: SSR) commencing commissioning and ramping up activities at Çöpler’s sulfide plant flotation circuit in Peru. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Peru — SSR Mining Inc. […]
NRGBriefs: Ecopetrol Fined for Caño Cacayal Contamination
(Energy Analytics Institute, 17.Dec.2021) — Energy briefs including Ecopetrol S.A. revealing the Sustainable Development Corporation of the Macarena Special Management Area CORMACARENA, through Resolution No. PS-GJ.1.2.6.21.2094 of 2021, imposed a fine of 20 monthly minimum wages to the co. due to the contamination of Caño Cacayal; Venezuela’s oil production set to […]
NRGBriefs: Venezuela’s Oil Minister El Aissami Says He’s Fine
(Energy Analytics Institute, 14.Dec.2021) — Energy briefs including EP PetroEcuador announcing it has sufficient fuel supplies at all its terminals despite transport issues impacting Ecuador’s two oil pipelines and one derivatives pipeline; ExxonMobil reiterating the Liza Unity FPSO will commence ops by 2022 offshore Guyana; Venezuela’s oil minister Tareck El […]
No Change Afoot At Venezuela’s Oil Ministry: Sources
(Argus, 10.Dec.2021) — Venezuela’s oil minister Tareck El Aissami returned to work this week after a prolonged medical leave and will not be replaced, a senior source close to the government told Argus. A second source confirmed the information. The minister attended meetings in person in Caracas this week and will […]
NRGBriefs: Trinidad To Reveal Ryder Scott Details
(Energy Analytics Institute, 8.Dec.2021) — Energy briefs including Argentina aspiring to produce 1 MMb/d in five yrs; Trinidad and Tobago looking to reveal details of a new Ryder Scott gas reserve report; rumors circulating about the health of Venezuela’s oil minister Tareck El Aissami; and more. LATIN AMERICA AND THE […]
Venezuela: Nov. Oil Output Rises To 660 Mb/d
(S&P Global Platts, 30.Nov.2021) — Oil production by Venezuela’s state PDVSA and its foreign partners rose to 660,000 b/d in November, up 40,000 b/d from October, Nov. 30 PDVSA production reports reviewed by S&P Global Platts showed. Orinoco Belt output rose to 420,000 b/d, up 40,000 b/d from the 380,000 […]
Citgo 6 Remain Pawns In A US-Venezuela Standoff
(CNN, 26.Nov.2021) — The phone connection between a Venezuelan prison cell and Houston, Texas, crackles and fades. Jorge Toledo sounds tired. He’s been held for four years, one of six former executives of Venezuela’s US-based oil refining company CITGO convicted of corruption. The sounds of prison life echo as he […]
Houston-based Citgo Reports 3Q:21 Results
(Citgo, 15.Nov.2021) — Citgo Petroleum Corporation reported its third quarter 2021 financial results, including a net loss of $4mn, compared to net income of $3mn for the second quarter. Marking the company’s second consecutive quarter of positive EBITDA1 after three straight quarters of negative EBITDA, EBITDA in the third quarter […]
Venezuela Slashes Oil Production Target
(Bloomberg, 5.Nov.2021) — Venezuela’s state oil company slashed its output target by one-third as years of corruption, brain drain and inadequate investment crippled the nation’s energy infrastructure. PDVSA cut its daily production target to 1 million barrels from a 1.5-million-barrel goal announced in January, according to a company document seen […]
Venezuelan Elections To Not Bring Sanctions Relief
(Platts, 4.Nov.2021) — Any major easing of US oil sanctions against Venezuela remains off the table, but the country’s Nov. 21 elections could provide a chance for relief around the edges like a restart to crude-for-diesel swaps. Candidates backed by President Nicolas Maduro are expected to sweep the local and […]
Venezuela Adapts To US sanctions With Rising Oil Flow
(Argus, 3.Nov.2021) — Venezuela is cranking up oil production in a reflection of the Opec country’s moderate success in adapting to operational constraints imposed by prolonged US sanctions. Output has surpassed 600,000 b/d as PdV incorporates Iranian condensate to help dilute extra-heavy crude from the Orinoco oil belt, which is now […]
Venezuela Asset Debacle Splits GuaidĂł Camp
(Argus, 2.Nov.2021) — Two major Venezuelan opposition parties today voted against a decree issued by US-backed shadow parliamentary leader Juan GuaidĂł, an unprecedented rupture that foreshadows the expiry of his constitutional claim to an interim presidency in January 2022. Decree number 38, which GuaidĂł first presented in early October, called for […]
Citgo Ex-President Suffers Mild Heart Attack In Venezuela Jail
(Reuters, 26.Oct.2021) — The former president of oil refiner Citgo, a U.S. subsidiary of Venezuelan oil company PDVSA, suffered a mild heart attack in prison in Caracas and was transferred to a hospital, his lawyer told Reuters on Tuesday. Jose Pereira is one of six former company executives, all naturalized […]
NRGBriefs: Venezuelan Production Goals [PDF Download]
(Energy Analytics Institute, 25.Oct.2021) — Energy briefs including Venezuela’s near-term oil production goals; Petrobras’ plans to host two 3Q:21 webcasts using Microsoft Teams; B2Gold Corp. entering into a binding agreement w/ West African Resources Limited; and more. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Brazil — On 29 Oct. 2021 Petobras will […]
NRGBriefs: Colombia Eyes Net-zero Deforestation By 2030
(Energy Analytics Institute, 22.Oct.2021) — Energy briefs including CorporaciĂłn Nacional del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) announcing final results of a previously announced offer to purchase for cash outstanding notes due in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Colombia aiming to achieve net-zero deforestation by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050; Frontera Energy […]
Citgo Boards In Last-ditch Talks With Washington
(Reuters, 22.Oct.2021) — The supervisory boards of Venezuela-owned Citgo Petroleum, racing to stave off a breakup of the eighth largest U.S. oil refiner, have held talks with U.S. officials in Bogota, Colombia, seeking to extend Washington’s protection while Citgo pursues negotiations with creditors, Reuters has learned. Citgo is running out […]
NRGBriefs: Guyana Courts The UAE Or Vice Versa
(Energy Analytics Institute, 21.Oct.2021) — Energy briefs including details of Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali courting investors in the UAE; the repercussions in Caracas from the extradition of Alex Saab to Miami from Capo Verde, and Shell Trinidad and Tobago eyeing finally signing a PSC for development of the 2.7 Tcf […]
Shell To Tap Major Gas Field Off Trinidad
(Argus, 19.Oct.2021) — Shell plans to sign a production-sharing contract (PSC) for the 2.7 Tcf Manatee offshore natural gas field in Trinidad and Tobago, a project the government hopes will overcome a chronic gas supply shortage. Manatee holds the potential to provide “the single largest new gas production in Trinidad […]
NRGBriefs: Renewable Energy Ops In The Caribbean
(Energy Analytics Institute, 15.Oct.2021) — Energy briefs including details of four renewable energy-exporting opportunities in the Caribbean in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana; TotalEnergies extending the contract for the Maersk Voyager in Angola for Ondjaba-1; and more. EVENTS — The Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum 2021 takes place from […]
NRGBriefs: ANH Talks About Colombia’s Gas Potential
(Energy Analytics Institute, 14.Oct.2021) — Energy briefs including comments from a webcast hosted by the ACIPET spanning speakers such as ANH head Armando Zamora as well as ANH’s JosĂ© de Armas and Ecopetrol executive Maria Fernand Arango; Colombia’s massive gas potential onshore and offshore; ExxonMobil heard being close to reaching […]
NRGBriefs: EP PetroEcuador Awards Export Deals
(Energy Analytics Institute, 13.Oct.2021) — Energy briefs including the IMF advising Argentina to lower its deficit and estimating Venezuela’s inflation at 2,700% this yr, Colombia’s mines and energy minister Diego Mesa saying the country is committed to advancing its decarbonization goals; EP PetroEcuador awarding export deals to Shell Western Supply […]
NRGBriefs: Brazil Eyes Vaca Muerta Gas
(Energy Analytics Institute, 11.Oct.2021) — Energy briefs including Argentina looking to send Vaca Muerta gas to Brazil; US-based Talos Energy setting date for 3Q:21 conf. call; and more. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Brazil — Brazil’s Foreign Minister Carlos França expressed “enthusiasm” over a deal w/ Argentina to allow for […]
Venezuela’s Coastal Villages Suffer As Oil Spills Rise
(Reuters, 6.Oct.2021) — Rebeca Reyes furiously scrubbed black tar from her kids’ arms after they swam in waters tainted by crude oil during a recent outing to Venezuela’s Punta Cardon beach. A breach in an undersea pipeline owned by state-run oil company PDVSA that had gushed for at least 10 […]