News: Oil and Gas

US Unable to Supply Caribbean if PetroCaribe Ends, Admits Success of Venezuelan Program

Dec 10th 2015

US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Washington warned Caribbean nations Wednesday that the United States would be unable to supply them with oil in the event that that Venezuela’s newly elected opposition-controlled parliament cuts off the flow of subsidized petroleum under the PetroCaribe program.

Venezuela’s Maduro: We will Review Relations with US after NSA Spying Revelations

Nov 19th 2015

Maduro says that he will conduct a revision of US-Venezuela relations in light of the revelations. (Panorama)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced that his government will review its diplomatic ties to the US, after a leaked document revealed that the National Security Agency had spied on officials at Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.

Venezuela’s Maduro Expands PetroCaribe Investments in Saint Vincent & Grenadines

Nov 4th 2015

Graphic art depicting the sunrise over the Caribbean, with the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) as the

In a diplomatic visit to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pledged new resources to the island nation and proposed a special economic zone in the Caribbean to strengthen regional trade.

Venezuela Says Oil Glut a Political Strategy as OPEC Leaders Determine Next Step

Oct 29th 2015

(AP)

During a Tuesday live broadcast, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced that the country’s heavy crude oil was selling for a six-year low of $37.95 a barrel and claimed outside forces would try driving the price to $20 before the December 6th parliamentary elections.

2016 Budget Unveiled as Venezuela Pushes for Price Ceiling at OPEC Meeting

Oct 22nd 2015

(La Patilla/archive)

On Tuesday, Venezuelan officials outlined the 2016 budget, making emphasis on debt payment, while synchronous steps in oil diplomacy reveal an ongoing attempt to raise global prices.

Saudi Arabia and Venezuela Talk Oil Prices as Maduro Fixes to Lobby OPEC Abroad

Sep 23rd 2015

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez tweeted the above image of President Maduro and King Salman together in Saudi Arabia

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said Saturday evening that Saudi King Salman and President Nicolas Maduro had spoken on the phone and reached an understanding concerning oil cooperation.

Venezuela’s Maduro Proposes Cucuta Gasoline Deal, Expands Border Closure

Sep 16th 2015

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (Xinhua/Presidential Press)

In the lead-up to talks with his Colombian counterpart, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro proposed a series of measures aimed at resolving the tense border conflict, including the sale of Venezuelan gasoline in the Colombian border city of Cucuta.

UPDATED: Venezuela’s Maduro Signs Deals with China, Vietnam, Meets with Russia to Discuss Oil Prices

Sep 2nd 2015

China’s President Xi Jinping (R) and Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro before their meeting at the Great Hall of the Peop

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro set out for a diplomatic tour of Vietnam and China over the weekend, and plans to meet tomorrow in Beijing with Russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss possible steps for stabilizing oil prices.

Venezuela Ramps Up Anti-Crime Offensive, Targets Hoarding and Contraband

Aug 10th 2015

176,000 liters of gasoline confiscated by authorities in Zulia state (@VTVcanal8)

Venezuelan security forces executed major raids on criminal groups engaged in hoarding and contraband on Sunday morning as part of the Bolivarian government’s ongoing, national anti-gang offensive.

Venezuela and Greece Sign Energy Agreement

Aug 3rd 2015

Secretary General for Foreign Relations Yorgio Tsipras with Vice-Minister for Economic Cooperation Calizto Ortega and Greek emba

Venezuela and Greece signed an agreement strengthening cooperation in the energy sector on Saturday, concluding a week-long visit to Caracas by Greek Secretary General for Foreign Relations Yorgos Tsipras.

Venezuelan Social Movements Rally Against State Coal Mining Decree

Jul 30th 2015

Banner reads: The Wayuu of Socuy Oppose Coal Mining (Photo: Lucas Koerner)

Activists from diverse social movements gathered outside Venezuela's Ministry of Energy and Mining in Caracas this morning to demand the repeal of a controversial presidential decree authorizing coal mining in the country's northwestern Perija mountain range located in Zulia state.

Venezuela to Review Relations with Guyana

Jul 9th 2015

(noticias24)

The Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has temporarily withdrawn his government’s ambassador to neighbouring Guyana following a heated exchange over disputed waters.

Oil Provokes Diplomatic Spat Between Venezuela and Guyana

Jun 10th 2015

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez responds to the government of Guyana over disputed territory, Caracas, Venezuela Jun

Tensions between Venezuela and Guyana rose this week following a Guyanese statement rejecting Venezuelan claims to a disputed maritime territory where Exxon Mobil has discovered oil.

Obama Visits Jamaica, Urges Caribbean Nations to Break from PetroCaribe

Apr 8th 2015

St. Kitts and Nevis' prime minister (L) and Venezuela's ambassador to the country shake hands after sealing a $16M dea

US President Barack Obama arrived today in Jamaica as part of an ongoing effort to persuade the island and its neighbors to reduce dependency on Venezuela’s bilateral PetroCaribe program.

Armed Militants Attack Main Government Gas Plant

Mar 31st 2015

The El Tejero plant is the country’s main source of gas (abrebrecha)

Operations at one of the state’s principal gas and oil production plants in Eastern Venezuela are up and running again after an attack by armed militants left installations temporarily out of action over the weekend.