US Energy Department says oil imports from Venezuela are back to normal

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The US Energy Department says Venezuelan oil imports to the USA seem to have returned to normal ... The American Petroleum Institute, on the other hand,  reports market brokers claiming that stocks have fallen from 402,000 to 271,78 Mbs, contradicting an Energy Department estimate of a 3.7 million rise to 273.9 Mbs. 

The US Energy Department report indicates that imports from Venezuela have normalized for the first time since December 6, 2002 when Petroleos de Venezuela(PDVSA) executives & managers decided to use oil production and exports as a political tool to oustthe Chavez Frias administration. 

Venezuela is currently the USA's fifth biggest supplier, moving down two places from third position which it conquered at the beginning of 2002. Imports to the USA are said to be increasing 1 million bpd (9.7 Mbs).