Crude output at 1.44 mln b/d - dissident PDVSA executives

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 1:01:53 PM By: PETROLEUMWORLD

Venezuela's crude oil output stood to 1.44 million barrels a day Wednesday, dissident Venezuela´s oil company PDVSA executives said in their daily report.

The operations in eastern part of the country produced 692,000 b/d is being produced. Another 300,000 b/d on top of the current 692,000 b/d could be produced in the east in the coming weeks, dissident PDVSA executives reported.

Western operations stood at 260,000 b/d while in the southern region, 92,000 b/d were being produced Wednesday, unchanged from Tuesday.

Refining activities remained unchanged from Tuesday. El Palito refinery which has a capacity of 120,000 b/d is producing 75,000 b/d, the report said. The Paraguana refinery complex which has a capacity of 940,000 b/d is at 80,000 b/d.The 200,000 b/d. The 200,000 b/d Puerto La Cruz refinery is produccing 75.000 mbd,The 200 mbd La Isla refinery in Curacao is producing 25,000 b/d, the report said.

Venezuela is in its 59th day of a civil disobedience nation wide general work stoppage that has hampered oil production and exports. The strike is aimed at forcing President Hugo Chavez to resign followed by early elections.

By Elio Ohep, Petoleumworld.com; 58 412 9525301; ecohep@hotmail.com

Petroleumworld News 30-01-03 1230 GMT