(Reuters, 1.Mar.2021) — Venezuela’s oil exports rose in February to over 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), their highest level in 10 months, pushed by more sales of fuel oil cargoes to new clients in Asian markets, according to Refinitiv Eikon’s tanker tracking data and documents. A growing number of clients […]
Category: Venezuela
Venezuela energy
World Must Stop Venezuela’s Environmental Destruction
(By Francisco Dallmeier and Cristina V. Burelli, 22.Feb.2021) — The political and economic ruin of Venezuela, once one of Latin America’s wealthiest countries, is by now a well-known story. Far less understood are the catastrophic impacts of the crisis on the country’s environment. International action is urgently needed — first […]
Diesel And Food In Venezuela
(Council on Foreign Relations, Elliott Abrams, 18.Feb.2021) — As part of the broad economic sanctions against the Maduro regime in Venezuela and especially the petroleum sector, the Trump administration barred swaps of Venezuelan crude oil for gasoline and diesel. There has been a debate over this step. The humanitarian argument […]
Texas Power Outage is Reminiscent of Socialist Venezuela
(Forbes, 18.Feb.2021) — In Houston, TX, the Energy Capital of the World, I have been without power and running water for three days. I and millions of other Texas residents are currently enduring the consequences of one of the worst instances of engineering malpractice, business mismanagement, and political irresponsibility in […]
China, Russia, Venezuela: Q&A With Thomas O’Donnell
(Energy Analytics Institute, 13.Feb.2021) — China and Russia continue to push around their might in Venezuela. Thomas O’Donnell with the Hertie School of Governance & Freie Universität-Berlin weighs in briefly here. Energy Analytics Institute: What might China and Russia be willing to do this year to assist Venezuela’s President Nicolas […]
UN’s Douhan Urges Lifting Sanctions Against Venezuela
(OHCHR, 12.Feb.2021) — The UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures and human rights, Alena Douhan, today urged the United States, European Union and other States to drop unilateral sanctions imposed against Venezuela. At the end of a two-week visit to Venezuela, Douhan said the sanctions have exacerbated pre-existing calamities. […]
UN Reports On Impacts Of US Sanctions On Venezuela
(OHCHR, 12.Feb.2021) — The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Ms. Alena Douhan, visited the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from 1-12 February 2021. She thanks the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for enabling and supporting her […]
US Still Eyes “Free And Fair” Elections In Venezuela
(Energy Analytics Institute, 11.Feb.2021) — The US, despite recent presidential elections and a drastic change of leadership from the top down, continues in pursuit of “free and fair” elections in Venezuela and is willing to reverse sanctions if the results are achieved. “The [US] sanctions are to force a change […]
Venezuela Briefs: Oil Tankers, OPEC+ Meeting
(Energy Analytics Institute, 10.Feb.2021) — Venezuelan briefs related to the departure of oil tankers Era and Explorer from PDVSA’s Amuay refinery in Punto Fijo and Venezuela’s participation in recent OPEC+ discussions. Oil Tankers Depart Amuay For Singapore (Energy Analytics Institute, 10.Feb.2021) — The oil tankers Era and Explorer are said […]
China Expands Presence In LatAm’s Energy Industries
(IOA, 10.Feb.2021) — China is broadening its presence in Latin America’s energy and strategic minerals sectors, posing challenges to the regional countries themselves as well as to the United States, according to a new white paper published by the Institute of the Americas (IOA), an independent, nonpartisan organization based in […]
Sugarcane Harvest At Risk In Venezuela’s Portuguesa State
(Energy Analytics Institute, 30.Jan.2021) — Venezuelan sugarcane growers in the country’s central Portuguesa state are at risk of losing the opportunity to harvest an estimated 762 hectares of the cane due to a lack of diesel. Producers in the state need an estimated 150,000 liters of diesel to assist them […]
PDVSA Ad Hoc Board Head Calls Citgo “Crown Jewel”
(Energy Analytics Institute, 29.Jan.2021) — The president of the Ad Hoc Board of PetrĂłleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) called US-based refiner Citgo Petroleum the “crown jewel” of the company’s international assets. Horacio Medina, the President of PDVSA’s Ad Hoc Board, said the situation regarding actions taken during 2019-2020 by Interim President […]
OPEC Fund Marks 45 Years Of Driving Development
(The OPEC Fund, 28.Jan.2021) — The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) marks its 45th anniversary today. Since inception, the multilateral development finance institution has approved more than $25bn in essential financing for 135 partner countries. Established in 1976 with a distinct mandate to drive development, strengthen communities […]
Venezuela Crude Stocks Drop As Exports Pick Up
(Reuters, 26.Jan.2021) — Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA’s inventories of its main export crude grade dipped this week to their lowest levels since late November, internal company documents seen by Reuters showed. Merey 16 stocks at the country’s main oil terminal, the Jose port, fell to 4.85 million barrels as […]
PDVSA Says It Controls Gas Leak Along Anaco Pipeline
(Energy Analytics Institute, 23.Jan.2021) — Workers with PDVSA Gas, a subsidiary of PetrĂłleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) controlled a gas leak in the Barbacoas sector of the city of Barcelona located in Anzoátegui state. The attack occurred along a section of a 26-inch diameter gas pipeline owned by PDVSA, which runs […]
China Buys Venezuelan Oil Doctored To Skirt Sanctions
(Bloomberg, 22.Jan.2021) — It may be the oil market’s worst-kept secret: Millions of barrels of Venezuelan heavy crude, embargoed by the U.S., have been surreptitiously going to China. The cat-and-mouse games that avoid detection and sanctions include ship-to-ship transfers, shell companies and silenced satellite signals. But there’s another aspect to […]
US May Restore Venezuela Diesel Swaps, Ease Waiver
(Argus, 20.Jan.2021) — The new US administration is considering whether to reinstate Venezuelan crude-for-diesel swaps and ease a key sanctions waiver, but policy reversals alone would not be enough to meaningfully revive the Opec country’s oil production after years of neglect. At his senate confirmation hearing yesterday, secretary of state […]
OFAC Targets Individuals And Entities Helping Maduro
(Energy Analytics Institute, 19.Jan.2021) — US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control, or OFAC, slapped sanctions on three individuals, 16 companies and seven vessels for their alleged ties to networks trying to evade US sanctions imposed on Venezuela’s oil sector. The individuals targeted included Philipp Apikian, Alessandro Bazzoni, Francisco […]
Treasury Targets Venezuelan Sanctions Evasion Network
(US Treasury, 19.Jan.2021) — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated three individuals, fourteen entities, and six vessels for their ties to a network attempting to evade United States sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector. The illegitimate Maduro regime has continued to use Petroleos […]
Venezuela Orders Arrest Of New Citgo Board Member
(Reuters, 18.Jan.2021) — Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for a new member of the board of directors of U.S.-based refining firm Citgo Petroleum Corp named by the opposition this month, chief prosecutor Tarek Saab said on Monday. Saab said Jose RamĂłn Pocaterra was “illegally designated” to the board of […]
Entities Look To Press Biden On Venezuela Fuel Swaps
(Reuters, 18.Jan.2021) — Representatives of fuel suppliers to Venezuela, importers of Venezuelan oil and advocacy groups said this month they plan to press the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to reverse a ban on crude-for-diesel swaps. The Trump administration since the last quarter of 2020 has barred companies […]
Venezuela’s Maduro accuses US president Donald Trump of backing attacks on CRP
CARACAS, VENEZUELA (Piero Stewart, Energy Analytics Institute, 15.Jan.2021, Words: 169) — Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro reiterated earlier claims that US President Donald Trump ordered the sabotage of the OPEC country’s Amuay and CardĂłn refineries in Punto Fijo. “Dozens of Venezuelan and Colombian mercenaries have been captured planning conspiracies against our […]
Venezuela Eyes Private Cos Operating Oil Fields
(Reuters, 14.Jan.2021) — Venezuelan officials have met in recent months with small domestic oilfield contractors to propose letting them operate fields owned by state-owned PDVSA while pocketing part of the proceeds, according to six people with knowledge of the talks. The talks show President Nicolas Maduro, facing a collapse in […]
Venezuela Creates Special Crisis Commission
(Xinhua, 14.Jan.2021) — Venezuela’s National Assembly on Thursday established a Special Commission for Dialogue, Peace and National Reconciliation, made up of ruling coalition and opposition legislators, to resolve the economic crisis generated by U.S.-led sanctions. “We made an effort so that all political forces… in the national parliament joined this […]
Maduro Says Venezuela Eyes Output Of 1.5 MMB/D
(Energy Analytics Institute, 12.Jan.2021) — Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, during his annual speech to the nation on 12 January 2021, announced the OPEC country was eyeing oil production of 1.5 million barrels per day thanks in part to the Anti-Blockage Law. No further details were revealed by the leader, but […]
OPEC Voluntary Production Levels (PDF DOWNLOAD)
(Energy Analytics Institute, 11.Jan.2021) — OPEC’s voluntary crude oil production levels for the months of January, February, and March. __________ By Ian Silverman. © Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
Iranian Oil Tankers Entering Venezuelan, Syrian Ports
(MEHR, 10.Jan.2021) — Tankertrackers reported that the Iranian oil and gasoline tankers have reached near Syria and Venezuela. According to Tankertrackers, an Iranian tanker carrying two million barrels of crude oil shipments is crossing the Suez Canal and it will probably arrive in the Syrian port of Banias on Monday. […]
EU’s Declaration On Backing Venezuela’s Juan Guaido
(EU Council, 6.Jan.2021) — The Venezuelan elections of 6 December 2020 for the National Assembly regrettably went ahead without a national agreement on electoral conditions. The European Union considers that the elections failed to comply with the international standards for a credible process and to mobilise the Venezuelan people to […]
EU, Lima Group Sour On Juan Guaido
(Argus, 6.Jan.2021) — The EU and the Lima Group of Latin American countries and Canada have implicitly dropped support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president, portending a policy shift in Washington as well. The EU now views Guaido and the opposition-led “outgoing” National Assembly as just […]
Venezuela’s New National Assembly Steps In
(Energy Analytics Institute, 5.Jan.2021) — Venezuela’s new National Assembly, elected in parliamentary elections on 6 December 2020, assumed power today in Caracas. Jorge Rodriguez will take over as the leader of the assembly, after unseating former assembly leader Juan Guaido, whose party boycotted the 6 December vote as they perceived […]
ElĂas Matta To Continue Heading Energy Commission
(Energy Analytics Institute, 5.Jan.2020) — ElĂas Matta will retain his post as the president of the energy and petroleum commission of the National Assembly, sources in Caracas tell Energy Analytics Institute. __________ By Piero Stewart. © Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
Venezuela’s Oil Exports Sink To 1940’s Level
(Reuters, 4.Jan.2021) — Pressured by strict U.S. sanctions, Venezuela’s oil exports plunged by 376,500 barrels per day (bpd) in 2020, according to Refinitiv Eikon data and internal documents from state-run PDVSA, financially squeezing socialist President Nicolas Maduro. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump also put curbs on PDVSA’s main […]
20 Companies: The Biggest Polluters In The World
(Insider Monkey, 2.Jan.2021) — In this article we are going to list the 20 companies that are the biggest polluters in the world. Click to skip ahead and jump to the 10 companies that are the biggest polluters in the world. Look, I don’t think there are many educated people […]
Venezuela Briefs: Halliburton Layoffs
(Energy Analytics Institute, 31.Dec.2020) — Briefs from Venezuela related to Halliburton layoffs and the year end message from PetrĂłleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) President AsdrĂşbal Chávez. Halliburton Lays Off Workers Halliburton Venezuela has been forced to lay off an unknown number of employees related to business restrictions owing to a license […]
Carlos Vecchio Says GuaidĂł Govt Saved Citgo
(Energy Analytics Institute, 29.Dec.2020) — Houston-based refiner Citgo Petroleum, owned by Venezuela’s state oil and gas company PetrĂłleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), continues to benefit from US legal actions to extend protection from creditors until July 2021, says Carlos Vecchio, the Venezuela’s ambassador to the US under the government of opposition […]
UAE Emerges As Hub For Cos. Helping Venezuela
(Reuters, 29.Dec.2020) — In June, the United States imposed sanctions on half a dozen oil tankers managed by established shipping firms. It was a major escalation of American attempts to choke off Venezuela’s oil trade. Within weeks, a little-known company based in the United Arab Emirates took over management of […]
Venezuela’s Oil Unions Accuse Govt Of Persecution
(AFP, 23.Dec.2020) — Venezuela’s vital oil industry is failing and the socialist government is feeling the pressure, and now the regime of President Nicolas Maduro is being accused of lashing out at the sector’s unions. In recent months, several union leaders have been arrested, accused of terrorism, sharing confidential information […]
Venezuela Resumes Direct Oil Shipments To China
(Reuters, 22.Dec.2020) — Venezuela has resumed direct shipments of oil to China after U.S. sanctions sent the trade underground for more than a year, according to Refinitiv Eikon vessel-tracking data and internal documents from state company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). Chinese state companies China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) and its […]
ExxonMobil Hits Guyana Oil Output Goal
(Argus, 21.Dec.2020) — ExxonMobil reached targeted crude production of 120,000 b/d at the Liza 1 well on Guyana’s deepwater Stabroek block, a milestone that had been delayed by an earlier re-injection glitch and equipment delays. The target was achieved a year after start-up of the Liza Destiny floating production, storage […]
World Court To Intervene In Guyana-Venezuela Dispute
(AP, 18.Dec.2020) — The United Nations’ highest court ruled Friday that it will intervene to settle a decades-old border dispute between South American neighbors Guyana and Venezuela. The decision by the International Court of Justice means it will now move to judge the merits of the case, which will likely […]
Biden To Seek Talks With Maduro Regime
(Bloomberg, 18.Dec.2020) — President-elect Joe Biden’s advisers are preparing to negotiate with Nicolas Maduro’s regime in Venezuela in an effort to end the Western Hemisphere’s worst economic and humanitarian crisis, according to three people familiar with the matter. The Biden administration intends to push for free and fair elections, offering […]
Spills In Venezuela Offer A Bleak Vision Of An Oil End
(Bloomberg, 15.Dec.2020) — Tropical rains have washed away most outward traces of the oil spill that ravaged Rio Seco this fall. But the fishing village in the shadow of Venezuela’s main refining hub bears the scars of deeper contamination. Boats with oil-stained hulls must now travel further out into the Caribbean to […]
Iran Uses Disguised Tanker To Export Venezuelan Oil
(Reuters, 14.Dec.2020) — A tanker chartered by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is loading Venezuelan crude for export, documents from state-run PDVSA show, providing evidence of the two countries’ latest tactics to expand their trade in defiance of U.S. sanctions. Venezuela and Iran have deepened their cooperation this year […]
Venezuela Disrupts Plan To Attack Refinery
(Reuters, 11.Dec.2020) — Venezuela’s Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami said on Friday that authorities had disrupted a plan to attack Venezuela’s 146,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) El Palito refinery, and had arrested two suspects in the plot. El Aissami alleged, without providing evidence, that the planned attack had the support of the Colombian […]
PdV Turns Refinery Repair Effort To Puerto La Cruz
(Argus, 10.Dec.2020) — PdV has restarted a crude distillation unit at its 190,000 b/d Puerto La Cruz refinery for the first time since 2017, but as with the Venezuelan state-owned company’s other refinery repair efforts, expanding and sustaining operations remains a challenge. Atmospheric distillation unit 1 (DA-1) restarted gradually over […]
![NGOs Vital In Helping With Humanitarian Crisis [Video]](https://energy-analytics-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/NewsRoomHeaderRight-citgo.jpg)
NGOs Vital In Helping With Humanitarian Crisis [Video]
(Citgo, 10.Dec.2020) — NGOs and other private philanthropic groups are increasingly critical in helping address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, according to three diverse panels of leading experts recently convened in Houston via webinar by the SimĂłn BolĂvar Foundation. Panelists from the international development and humanitarian relief sector pointed […]
Venezuela Oil Production To Average 600,000 b/d In 2021
(Energy Analytics Institute, 9.Dec.2020) — Crude oil production from OPEC member Venezuela is expected to average 600,000 barrels per day in 2021, according to new estimates revealed by Ecoanalitica. The Caracas-based economic consultancy also expects Venezuela’s oil basket price to average $37.50 per barrel in 2021. __________ By Piero Stewart. […]
US Applauds Interim Govt’s “People’s Vote”
(US State Department, 8.Dec.2020) — The United States continues to support Interim President Juan GuaidĂł, the National Assembly, and the Venezuelan people in their struggle to restore democracy in their country. From December 7 to 12, the Venezuelan people will have the opportunity to voice their opinion of the illegitimate […]
Chairman Risch On Fraud Elections In Venezuela
(US Senate, 7.Dec.2020) — US Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on yesterday’s fraudulent congressional elections in Venezuela: “The Maduro regime’s dismantling of the National Assembly, the last remaining democratic institution in Venezuela, is shameful, but predictable. The absence of representative […]
Venezuelan Opposition Fills PdV Chair On Election Eve
(Argus, 7.Dec.2020) — Venezuela’s opposition-controlled National Assembly named another oil industry veteran to chair a shadow board of Venezuela’s national oil company PdV. The key appointment comes on the eve of tomorrow’s disputed National Assembly elections that are widely expected to cement the power of President Nicolas Maduro. The US-backed […]