(Reuters, 1.Jun.2021) — Venezuela’s oil exports fell to 593,550 barrels per day (bpd) in May as a result of an outage in its main producing region and a lack of diluents to produce exportable grades, documents and tanker tracking data showed. The OPEC member’s oil shipments were stable at around […]
Tag: PDVSA
Maduro Receives Harsh Economic Blow From An Unlikely Source: China
(Miami Herald, 25.May.2021) — A recently approved Chinese tax might translate into a severe economic blow to the Nicolás Maduro regime by almost doubling the importing cost of the oil that Venezuela sells in violation of the U.S. sanctions, analysts said. The Chinese government is set to start collecting the […]
New Chinese Tax Narrows Venezuela’s Oil Export Options
(Argus, 17.May.2021) — A Chinese tax overhaul threatens to orphan up to 400,000 b/d of Venezuelan heavy sour crude that has been a lifeline for Caracas since the US imposed oil sanctions in 2019. Although Chinese companies moved away from directly lifting Venezuelan crude around August 2019, independent refiners regularly […]
Maduro Should Be Tried for Ecocide
(Foreign Policy, 14.May.2021) — It isn’t uncommon to hear charges of “genocide” leveled at the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro due to the humanitarian disaster unfolding in his country in the last few years. But now, a growing chorus has begun to blame Venezuela’s leadership with the crime of “ecocide”—or the […]
Venezuela Needs $58bn To Restore Oil Output To 1998 Levels-Document
(Reuters, 10.May.2021) — Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA would need $58 billion in investment to revive its crude production to the levels of 1998 before ex-President Hugo Chavez came to power, equivalent to 3.4 million barrels per day (bpd), a document seen by Reuters shows. In the February 2021 document […]
Former PDVSA Executive Ortega Gets Two Year Prison Sentence
(AP, 5.May.2021) — A former Venezuelan oil executive was sentenced to more than two years in prison for taking at least $12 million in bribes from businessmen who allegedly raided the coffers of the state-run oil company. Abraham Ortega is the first former Venezuelan official to be sentenced as part […]
Venezuela’s Oil Exports Stabilize
(Reuters, 1.May.2021) — Venezuela’s April oil exports were flat at about 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the third month in a row, with three-quarters of its shipments headed to Asia and the Middle East, according to tanker tracking data and documents from state-run Petroleos de Venezuela. PDVSA’s exports have […]
Mexico Port Works On US-Sanctioned Tankers That Transport Venezuela’s Oil
(Reuters, 30.Apr.2021) — Three Cuban-flagged tankers that are under U.S. sanctions for transporting Venezuelan oil to the Communist-run island have been serviced in the port of Veracruz on Mexico’s Gulf coast, according to vessel tracking data and industry sources. The maintenance work on the vessels — one of which was […]
Fitch Revises Citgo’s Outlook To Stable
(Fitch Ratings, 8.Apr.2021) — Fitch Ratings affirmed the Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of CITGO Petroleum (Opco) at ‘B’ and CITGO Holding (Holdco) at ‘CCC+’, Opco’s senior secured term loans, notes, and industrial revenue bonds at ‘BB’/’RR1’, and Holdco’s senior secured term loans and bonds at ‘B+’/’RR1’. Fitch withdrew the […]
Venezuelan Oil Flow Recedes
(Argus, 8.Apr.2021) — Venezuelan crude production fell back in early April after state-owned PdV diverted limited diluent and light crude from Orinoco heavy oil operations to its recovering refining sector. Output from the Orinoco heavy oil belt declined from around 360,000 b/d in late March to less than 200,000 b/d […]
Nabarima FSO Completes Oil Offloading
(Reuters, 8.Apr.2021) — A floating facility off the Venezuelan coast has finished offloading crude stored in it for the past two years due to U.S. sanctions, paving the way for output to resume in an oilfield, an official of the facility’s operator said on Thursday. Operations to remove crude from […]
LatAm Briefs: Russia, Venezuela Boost Ties; YPF Meeting
(Energy Analytics Institute, 30.Mar.2021) — Energy briefs from the Latin America and Caribbean region including: Russia and Venezuela strengthening their cooperation and Argentina’s state oil producer YPF eyeing shareholders’ meeting on 30 April 2021. Russia And Venezuela Strengthen Cooperation A Russian-Venezuelan high-level intergovernmental commission (CIAN by its Spanish acronym) signed […]
Venezuela: “A Vision In Three Times”
(Energy Analytics Institute, 25.Mar.2021) — The webinar “Venezuela: a Vision in Three Times” on 25 March 2021 saw three speakers discuss the OPEC country’s oil sector. What follows are highlights from their discussion. Horacio Medina, the President of PDVSA’s Ad Hoc Board — “Venezuela’s state oil company PetrĂłleos de Venezuela […]
U.S. Thirst For Russian Oil Hits Record High
(Bloomberg, 24.Mar.2021) — The oil tankers docking at the refinery in Baytown, Texas, look exactly like many others plying the waters of the Houston Ship Channel. But stashed inside their capacious holds is an unusual cargo: Russian petroleum. The sprawling complex, which belongs to Exxon Mobil Corp., isn’t the only U.S. […]
PDVSA’s Bonaire Terminal Declares Bankruptcy
(Reuters, 22.Mar.2021) — A unit of Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA on the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire has declared bankruptcy, citing the impact of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, a court filing showed. In a March 9 filing published last week by the Court of First Instance of Bonaire, Sint […]
Are Foreign Oil Firms About To Return To Venezuela?
(Bloomberg, 19.Mar.2021) — Inside a chic lounge, oil lobbyists and executives rub shoulders as Spanish, French and Italian can be heard in the halls. This isn’t the ZaZa boutique hotel in Houston, where global energy top brass like to stay. It’s the Cayena Hotel in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. Drawn by […]
Petrobras On BM-C-33 Developments
(Petrobras, 18.Mar.2021) — Petrobras has approved, together with its partners Equinor and Repsol Sinopec Brasil, the development concept for block BM-C33, operated by Equinor, located in the pre-salt layer of the Campos Basin, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The block is about 200 km offshore and has water […]
Ministers Informed Of Deal ‘Citgo Six’ Were Jailed For
(Reuters, 17.Mar.2021) — Six executives of U.S. refiner Citgo have been jailed in Caracas on graft charges since 2017, but court documents seen by Reuters show that top Venezuelan officials were made aware of the deal that the country’s top prosecutor accused the six executives of signing in secret. The […]
LatAm Briefs: Ambar Eyes Bolivian Gas, PDVSA Shuts CardĂłn Refinery
(Energy Analytics Institute, 16.Mar.2021) — Energy briefs from the Latin America and Caribbean regions Bolivia and Venezuela including Ambar executives seeking a deal for piped gas from Bolivia’s YPFB, PDVSA shutting its CardĂłn Refinery in FalcĂłn state, and Venezuela reportedly shipping around 50% of its diesel production to Cuba. Ambar […]
LatAmNRG Briefs: YPF Fuels, Colombian Fracking
(Energy Analytics Institute, 15.Mar.2021) — Energy briefs from the Latin America and Caribbean regions Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela including: Tenaris snatches up Baker Hughes Argentina, YPF raises fuel prices again, Colombia’s ANH awaits offers for more pilot fracking projects and Venezuela suffers a severe diesel shortage. Tenaris Acquires Baker Hughes […]
PdV Refinery Suspends Petrol Production
(Argus, 12.Mar.2021) — Venezuelan state-owned PdV suspended gasoline production at its 305,000 b/d Cardon refinery this week as a result of more equipment breakdowns. Cardon was producing about 45,000 b/d of gasoline before a compressor failure shut down the plant’s 54,000 b/d naphtha reformer. The failure of steam supply units […]
Venezuela’s Stations Offer Fuel, Liquor
(Bloomberg, 11.Mar.2021) — Welcome to Venezuela’s new gasoline stations: They boast digital fuel pumps and high-end, imported liquor. They’re plastered in fresh coats of bright yellow and red paint. And in what’s become a rarity these days, they actually have gasoline to sell — for a price that very few can […]
Venezuela’s Oil Exports Rose In February: Data
(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 […]
Venezuela Ships Jet Fuel to Iran In Exchange For Petrol
(Reuters, 23.Feb.2021) — Venezuela is shipping jet fuel to Iran in return for vital gasoline imports for the South American nation as part of a swap deal agreed by the two state-run oil firms, three people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Iran has ramped up assistance to Venezuela […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Citgo Proposes Senior Secured Notes Offering
(Citgo, 3.Feb.2021) — Citgo Petroleum Corporation has commenced a private offering exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, $650mn aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due 2026. The notes offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there is no assurance that […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
Judge Approves Citgo Parent Share Sale
(Argus, 14.Jan.2021) — Venezuela inched closer to losing control of its US refining subsidiary Citgo today after a federal judge began crafting a sale process for shares of its controlling company to pay off the country’s international debts. The court will move forward with the process of selling shares of […]
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 […]
Jose R. Pocaterra Joins Citgo Board Of Directors
(Citgo, 6.Jan.2021) — The Citgo Petroleum Corporation Board of Directors announced that Jose R. Pocaterra has been named to the Board of Directors, replacing Edgar Rincon who remains Citgo’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. “Jose Pocaterra brings more than 20 years of international experience in the financial, business […]
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 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 […]
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 […]