Venezuelan Energy executives head for Washington to talk turkey on oil supplies

www.vheadline.com Posted: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

Venezuelan Energy & Mines (MEM) Minister Rafael Ramirez and Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) president Ali Rodriguez Araque are to visit Washington this week to meet with senior US energy officials to reassure the US that Venezuela will be able to addressing any possible oil shortage that occurs as a result of a war in Iraq.

The two men will also inform the US of the progress that is being made regarding the recovery of normal production levels in Venezuela, with the government putting current production at around 2.2 million barrels per day, while striking Petroleos de Venezuela executives put the figure at 1.5 million barrels per day. Before the national work stoppage began on December 2 Venezuela was producing 3.2 million barrels a day.

Although the final agenda is still to be decided, it is likely that Ramirez and Rodriguez will meet US Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham either toady or tomorrow.