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Venezuela's oil exports approach 1 million bpd sustained by sales to Asia

Venezuela's oil exports jumped last month on higher sales to its pillar Asia clients, and approached 1 million barrels per day (bpd), a level not seen since early 2020, according to deliver tracking information.

Under U.S. sanctions given that 2019, Venezuela's exports of crude and fine-tuned products have actually been extremely unpredictable. Absence of investment and frequent fires and failures at the South American country's aging oil infrastructure put a ceiling on production and sales.

State oil business PDVSA, its joint ventures and other state business last month delivered approximately 974,033 bpd of crude and fuel, primarily to China. It was the 2nd consecutive month of boost, according to Reuters analysis of tanker movements.

November's total represented a 10% increase from a revised average of almost 885,000 bpd in October, and stood 57% above the same month a year ago, the information revealed.

Sales to Asia, home to the nation's biggest buyers, leapt to some 613,000 bpd from 526,000 in October. Shipments to the United States by producer Chevron under a license given by Washington fell to 238,000 bpd from 280,000 bpd the previous month, while exports to Europe increased to 85,000 bpd from 31,000 bpd.

The incoming government of President-elect Donald Trump is anticipated to revise U.S. policies towards Venezuela, which might cause license amendments or renegotiations with the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The export increase took place regardless of a large surge and fire at among PDVSA's main gas centers, which hit output of items, including methanol.

PDVSA did not instantly respond to an ask for remark. The country's oil minister, Delcy Rodriguez, this week stated PDVSA's centers have undergone mess up, following the arrest of 11 people over the gas complex occurrence.

Venezuela's exports of oil byproducts and petrochemicals, including methanol and petroleum coke, declined to 330,500 metric loads in November, from 362,000 heaps in October, according to the data.

The OPEC nation also increased exports to its political ally Cuba to 38,000 bpd from 28,000 bpd the previous month.

Venezuela imported 87,000 bpd of heavy naphtha and fuel mix stock last month through U.S.-authorized swap agreements with U.S. and European partners, somewhat above the 81,000 bpd of October.

(source: Reuters)