(Reuters, 15.Aug.2023) — Negotiators and officials representing Venezuela are opposing a court-ordered auction of shares in a parent of oil refiner Citgo Petroleum to pay creditors claiming more than $10 billion from expropriations and debt defaults. Some 20 creditors with arbitration awards or lawsuits against Venezuela and its state oil […]
Tag: PDVSA
Who are Venezuela Creditors Seeking to Seize Citgo?
(Reuters, 19.Jul.2023) — The U.S. on Wednesday approved a three-month extension to a license protecting Citgo Petroleum from creditors seeking to seize the oil refiner’s assets. The document comes as a negotiation team representing Venezuela progresses in talks with bondholders and creditors with arbitration awards from expropriation claims, a move to avoid a breakup […]
Machado would restructure debt into single bond
CARACAS, VENEZUELA (Bloomberg, 18.Jul.2023, Words: 218) — Opposition frontrunner María Corina Machado said she would seek to roll Venezuela’s massive debt pile into a single bond as part of her plan to overhaul the country’s economy. Speaking after a video presentation to economists and investors in New York on Tuesday, Machado said […]
Venezuela’s Opposition Proposes Using Exports Proceeds to Pay Creditors
(Reuters, 7.Jul.2023) — Venezuela’s opposition is crafting a proposal for the country to redirect about 200,000 barrels per day of its oil exports to a trustee to pay creditors with claims on the nation’s foreign assets. Venezuela is battling in U.S. court against bondholders and creditors claiming more than $20 billion from […]
PDV Holding Recovers Citgo Stock Certificate
(PDV Holding, 26.Jun.2023) — PDV Holding, Inc. successfully recovered a stock certificate representing 49.9% of the outstanding shares of stock in its subsidiary CITGO Holding Inc. from an arm of Russian-controlled oil company Rosneft on Wednesday, 21 June 2023. This event brings to a close years of effort to recover […]
Power Cuts Hit Venezuela’s West
(Reuters, 7.Jun.2023) — Daily power cuts have returned to west-central Venezuela, shutting air conditioners during a heat wave and hitting factories, households and utilities as poorly maintained thermal plants fail to compensate for weak hydroelectric generation, residents, engineers and analysts said. “It is inhumane that in a city like this they […]
Trinidad to Restart Idled LNG Unit by Early 2027
(Reuters, 7.Jun.2023) — Trinidad and Tobago aims to restart an idled liquefied natural gas (LNG) unit by the first quarter of 2027 after agreeing to restructure the facility’s ownership and negotiate new gas supplies, according to three people with knowledge of the plans. Trinidad is Latin America’s largest LNG exporter, but its joint venture […]
PDVSA Bondholders Dismiss Claims Citgo-backed Notes are Invalid
(Reuters, 6.Jun.2023) — Holders of bonds issued by Venezuelan state-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela that are backed by a majority stake in refiner Citgo Petroleum urged New York state’s highest court to reject claims that the bonds are invalid. Lawyers for Venezuela’s opposition, which has controlled PDVSA’s U.S. assets including Citgo since 2019 […]
EAI’s NRGBriefs: May 2023
(Energy Analytics Institute, 31.May.2023) — Energy briefs as well as others related to finance and politics during May 2023 including Venezuela planning to issue a license next month to Eni SpA and Repsol SA to export natural gas, Petrobras receiving an arbitration award that fully rejected the claims made by […]
Citgo Reports First Quarter 2023 Results
(Citgo, 10.May.2023) — Citgo Petroleum Corporation reported its 2023 first quarter financial and operational results. Favorable refining margins and product yields combined with strong asset reliability contributed to first quarter net income of $937mn and EBITDA of $1.4bn, compared with net income of $806mn and EBITDA of $1.2bn for the fourth quarter of 2022. Highlights: […]
EAI’s NRGBriefs: Apr. 2023
(Energy Analytics Institute, 30.Apr.2023) — Energy briefs as well as others related to finance and politics during April 2023 including the US not blocking the court-ordered sale of shares of Citgo Petroleum Corp.’s parent company, PDV Holding, to pay off creditors who have sought payment from the Venezuelan state; OFAC authorizing […]
Biden to Discuss Venezuela Sanctions with Colombia’s Petro
(Reuters, 19.Apr.2023) — President Joe Biden will discuss Venezuela in wide-ranging talks with Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Thursday, including U.S. willingness to further ease sanctions on the OPEC nation only in return for concrete steps toward free elections there, a senior administration official said. Previewing the leaders’ first meeting, […]
Citgo Reports 4Q:22 and YE:22 Results
(Citgo, 9.Mar.2023) Citgo Petroleum Corporation today reported its 2022 fourth quarter and year-end financial results. Highlights: Fourth quarter net income of $806mn and EBITDA[1] of $1.2bn Fourth quarter total refinery crude throughput of 797,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), 4% above nameplate capacity of 769,000 bpd Repayment in full of the $1.1bn outstanding under Citgo Petroleum’s […]
Trinidad to Begin Negotiations for Gas Deal with Venezuela in March
(Reuters, 24.Feb.2023) — Trinidad and Tobago expects to formally begin negotiations next month with Venezuela on a promising offshore natural gas project, the Caribbean nation’s energy minister said on Feb. 23. A deal would help revive the nation’s gas production, which contributes a large part of its export revenue and […]
EAI’s NRGBriefs: Feb. 2023
(Energy Analytics Institute, 23.Feb.2023) — Energy briefs as well as others related to finance and politics during February 2023 including Repsol commenting on improvement of prospects for operations in Venezuela; earnings updates and webcasts from Pemex, Noble Corporation, bp, Repsol and TotalEnergies; Venezuela reactivates first drilling rig, the PDVEN-778, in […]
Iran to Start Revamp at Venezuela’s Largest Refining Complex
(Reuters, 6.Feb.2023) — State firms from Iran and Venezuela will start in the coming weeks a 100-day revamp of the South American nation’s largest refining complex to restore its crude distillation capacity, four sources close to the plan said. The effort by state oil firm Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and […]
Caribbean Seeks Venezuela’s Oil and Gas as U.S. Relaxes Sanctions
(WSJ, 3.Feb.2023) — Caribbean countries battered by high energy costs are turning to Venezuela for oil and gas as the U.S. eases sanctions that have kept its supplies off limits for years. Trinidad and Tobago received a U.S. Treasury Department license in January to develop a Venezuelan gas field. A prospective refinery operator […]
Venezuela Tightens Oil Prepayment Rules, Documents Show
(Reuters, 30.Jan.2023) — Venezuela’s state oil firm PDVSA is toughening terms for buyers after a month-long halt to most exports of crude and fuel, demanding prepayment ahead of loadings in either cash, goods or services, company documents showed. PDVSA’s new Chief Executive Pedro Tellechea put the move in place this […]
US Grants License to Trinidad to Develop Dragon Gas Field
(Reuters, 24.Jan.2023) — The U.S. Treasury Department has granted a license to Trinidad and Tobago to develop a major gas field located in Venezuelan territorial waters, a senior Biden administration official said on Tuesday, marking a further easing of some sanctions on Venezuela. RELATED STORY: PDVSA Initiates Production At Dragon […]
Chevron Sending Two Oil Tankers to Venezuela Under US Approval
(Reuters, 30.Dec.2022) — U.S. oil company Chevron Corp (CVX.N) is sending two oil tankers to Venezuela, one of which will load the first cargo of crude destined for the United States in nearly four years, according to a person familiar with the matter and shipping data. On Friday, a Chevron-chartered vessel approached […]
Diesel Prices in 2023? Don’t Expect Much Relief
(Investor’s Business Day, 29.Dec.2022) — U.S. diesel prices hit all time highs in 2022 as demand surged and supplies of the critical heating and transportation fuel tightened. However, analysts expect diesel prices to come down in 2023, even as supplies will remain tight. So Ed, why don’t we start with […]
Exchange Offers for Venezuelan Government and PDVSA Bonds
(Canaima Fund Lux, 28.Dec.2022) — Canaima Fund Lux (“Issuer“), a securitization fund governed by the Luxembourg Law of 22 March 2004 on securitization undertakings, registered under number O27, and more precisely for and on behalf of the compartment named Canaima I (“Compartment“), with identification number ISIN XS2540585481 represented and managed by Canaima Capital Lux S.àr.l.arl, a […]
Could A Controversial Chevron Deal Be A Prelude To Venezuela’s Oil Renaissance?
(Forbes, 2.Dec.2022) — A video that state-owned oil giant Petróleos de Venezuela posted to its Twitter feed this week shows a jovial meeting between Oil Minister Tarek El Aissami and Javier La Rosa, Chevron’s CVX country head. The clip shows La Rosa arriving at what looks to be Aissami’s offices, the two laughing, […]
Chevron unlikely to invest more in Venezuela in short term
(Reuters, 1.Dec.2022, Words: 380) — Chevron Corp is unlikely to add investment in Venezuela in the next six months despite a recent U.S. license to allow it to expand its operations in the South American country, Chief Executive Michael Wirth said on Thursday. U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration last week […]
Welligence: Venezuela Sanctions Update
(Welligence, 1.Dec.2022) — Chevron Corporation has recently secured a license to renew limited operations within the country and source critical inputs necessary for processing crude, Welligence announced 1 December 2022 over LinkedIn. The terms offer restricted benefits to PDVSA Servicios Petroleros, SA as Chevron is restricted from providing payments to […]
Maduro Says Granting US Licenses to Chevron ‘Not Enough’
(Anadolu Agency, 1.Dec.2022) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Wednesday that licenses and authorizations granted so far by the US to ease sanctions it imposed on Venezuela are “headed in the right direction” but are “not enough.” The easing of the oil embargo by the US government “undoubtedly goes in […]
Eased US Sanctions on Venezuelan Oil Provide Weak Supply Boost
(FT.com, 30.Nov.2022) — The ports of the US Gulf of Mexico coast will soon resume shipments that have been absent for more than three years: tankers full of Venezuela’s heavy crude oil. The first tanker carrying about 1mn barrels could set sail as soon as this month after the US […]
Energy Analytics Institute’s NRGBriefs: November 2022
(Energy Analytics Institute, 30.Nov.2022) — Energy briefs as well as others related to finance and politics during November 2022 including Brazilian oil giant Petrobras launching its strategic plan for 2023-27; US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcoming resumption of Venezuelan-led negotiations in Mexico City between the ruling party and opposition […]
Maduro Calls for ‘Complete Lifting’ of Oil Sanctions
(AFP, 30.Nov.2022) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said the easing of an oil embargo on his country by the United States was not enough, and called Wednesday for the total lifting of sanctions. The United States over the weekend granted energy giant Chevron a license to resume some oil operations […]
US State Department: Joint Statement on Venezuela Negotiations
(US Department of State, 26.Nov.2022) — The following statement was released by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs the Honourable Mélanie Joly, and the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign, […]
US Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions After Gov’t, Opposition Ink Deal
(Al Jazeera, 26.Nov.2022) — The Biden administration on Saturday eased some oil sanctions on Venezuela after the government of Nicolas Maduro and the opposition signed a broad ‘social accord’ to create a UN-administered fund to provide humanitarian aid to the Venezuelan people. The agreement signed on Saturday in Mexico City […]
Chevron Can Resume Key Role in Venezuela’s Oil Output
(Reuters, 26.Nov.2022) — Chevron Corp on Saturday received a U.S. license allowing the second-largest U.S. oil company to expand its production in Venezuela and bring the South American country’s crude oil to the United States. The decision grants broader rights for the last big U.S. oil company still operating in […]
US Prepared to Authorize Chevron to Boost Venezuela’s Oil Output
(Reuters, 23.Nov.2022) — Chevron Corp could soon win U.S. approval to expand operations in Venezuela and resume trading its oil once the Venezuelan government and its opposition resume political talks, four people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. A U.S. authorization for Chevron to help rebuild the country’s sagging […]
Citgo Announces 3Q:22 Financial Results
(Citgo, 10.Nov.2022) — Citgo Petroleum Corporation reported 2022 third quarter net income of $477mn and EBITDA of $804mn, compared to net income of $1.29bn and EBITDA of $1.86bn in the second quarter of 2022. Highlights: Reported third quarter net income of $477mn and EBITDA 1 of $804mn Continued strong health, safety and environmental performance Successful and safe turnaround execution and start-up at the […]
Trinidad asks US to Allow Venezuelan Gas Imports for LNG Plant
(Reuters, 4.Nov.2022) — The government of Trinidad and Tobago is asking the United States to authorize Venezuelan gas imports to restart an idled liquefaction train in the Caribbean nation, four sources close to the talks said. Under U.S. sanctions, companies and governments must obtain authorization from the U.S. Department of […]
MEEI Head Young Meets with Venezuelan Vice Minister
(MEEI, 24.Oct.2022) — The Honourable Stuart R. Young, M.P., Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister met today, Monday 24 October 2022 with Mr. Leonardo Graterol, Vice Minister Gas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on the sidelines of the GECF 24th Ministerial Meeting […]
Washington Eyes Oil Deal with Maduro Regime: Rystad Energy
(Rystad, 24.Oct.2022) — As the supply side of the oil business continues to tighten globally, calls within the US to ease sanctions on what was once one of Latin America’s largest oil producers continue to gain traction. The Biden administration has been putting out smoke signals to the wider market […]
Iran Starts Refining its Oil in Venezuela: Minister
(Xinhua, 17.Oct.2022) — Iranian Petroleum Minister Javad Owji said on Sunday that Iran has started refining its crude oil in Venezuela, SHANA news agency affiliated to his ministry reported. Iran had started processing some 100,000 barrels per day of its crude in Venezuela’s El Palito refinery, Owji was quoted by […]
Ecopetrol and Citgo Transaction to Offset Carbon
(Citgo, 10.Oct.2022) — A carbon compensated crude oil cargo sold by Ecopetrol and purchased by Citgo Petroleum Corporation is currently making its way to the Citgo Corpus Christi refinery for processing. The recent transaction supports Ecopetrol’s objectives on energy transition and decarbonization. The 500,000 barrel cargo of Ecopetrol Castilla Blend® […]
Lightning Strike and Fire Didn’t Impact RPLC: El Aissami
(Energy Analytics Institute, 19.Sep.2022) — A lightning strike at the oxidation and water treatment lagoon of PDVSA’s Puerto La Cruz Refinery on 19 September 2022 didn’t impact the operations of the refinery, Venezuela’s Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami said during a telephone interview broadcast by the news channel Venezolana de […]
Chevron Applies for Venezuela License Renewal
(Reuters, 1.Sep.2022) — Chevron Corp has asked the U.S. government to expand its license to operate in Venezuela after the oil major agreed with state-run PDVSA to revamp joint ventures in the sanctioned country, six people close to the matter said. Chevron’s authorization request is the California-based company’s latest attempt to have […]
PDVSA Pauses Oil-for-debt Shipments to Europe, Wants Product Swaps
(Reuters, 12.Aug.2022) — Venezuela has suspended new crude shipments to Europe under an oil-for-debt deal and has asked Italy’s Eni and Spain’s Repsol to provide it with fuel in exchange for future cargoes, three people familiar with the matter said. Venezuela’s oil company PDVSA no longer is interested in the oil-for-debt […]
Citgo Reports 2Q:22 Net Income of $1.3bn, EBITDA of $1.9bn
(Citgo, 11.Aug.2022) — Citgo Petroleum reported a second quarter net income of $1.29bn and EBITDA of $1.86bn compared to net income of $245mn and EBITDA of $518mn in the first quarter of 2022. Highlights: Reported second quarter net income of $1.29bn and EBITDA 1 of $1.86bn Exceptional health, safety and environmental performance Record-setting refinery utilization and throughput Received two AFPM Safety Achievement awards […]
Citgo Reveals Offer to Acquire up to $286mn of its 2024 Notes
(Citgo, 11.Aug.2022) — Citgo Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation, today announced its offer to purchase for cash an aggregate principal amount of up to $286.231mn (the “Excess Cash Flow Offer Amount”) of its 9.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to […]
Repsol Confirms Venezuela Crude Deal Restart
(Argus, 28.Jul.2022) — Spain’s integrated Repsol has resumed its crude-for-debt deal with Venezuela, and said the arrival of around 3mn bl of Venezuelan crude at its Spanish terminals this month will help to partly offset a weakening of its refining margins. Repsol chief executive Josu Jon Imaz said the return […]
US Investors Form JV to Pursue Oil and Gas Projects in Venezuela
(Reuters, 5.Jul.2022) — Two U.S. investment funds on Tuesday said they formed a joint venture with a Venezuelan firm to pursue oil and gas exploration and production projects in the U.S.-sanctioned South American country. Gramercy Funds Management and Amos Global Energy said their joint venture would work with an arm […]
NRGBriefs: OFAC Takes Former PDVSA VP off SDN List; Bristow to Ring Opening Bell
(Energy Analytics Institute, 17.Jun.2022) — Energy briefs including the US Department of Treasury announcing the removal of former PDVSA Vice President Carlos Erik Malpica Flores from OFAC’s SDN list. LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Venezuela — The US Department of the Treasury announced removal of Malpica Flores, Carlos Erik, Naguanagua, […]
US to Allow Venezuelan oil to be Shipped to Europe: Report
(The Hill, 5.Jun.2022) — The U.S. will reportedly resume allowing Venezuelan oil to flow to Europe, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The outlet on Sunday reported that Eni SpA and Repsol SA, which are Italian and Spanish respectively, could ship Venezuelan oil to Europe as early as next month […]
US to Let Eni, Repsol Ship Venezuela Oil to Europe, Reuters Says
(Bloomberg, 5.Jun.2022) — The US could allow Italy’s Eni SpA and Spain’s Repsol SA to ship Venezuelan oil to Europe as soon as July to make up for Russian crude, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The US State Department gave the two companies the green light to resume shipments in […]
PDVSA Extends Diesel Sales in Dollars, Cutting Subsidy
(Reuters, 30.May.2022) — Venezuela’s state-run PDVSA has ordered over a hundred stations to begin selling diesel in dollars, reducing a subsidy that had allowed truckers and public transportation drivers to fill their tanks almost for free, according to documents and sources. Venezuela had set a diesel retail price of $0.50 […]