Thursday, May 5, 2016

Venezuela 2016 oil output seen down at 2.35 million bpd: consultancy

From @Reuters -- Venezuela's oil output may fall to average some 2.35 million barrels/day this year, as the South American OPEC country's cash crunch and shortages weigh on production, according to energy consulting firm IPD Latin America. IPD's prediction comes on the heels of its quarterly sector survey, which estimated Venezuela's oil output tumbled 6.8% to 2.59 mbd in the first quarter compared with the same period of 2015, due to drilling delays, insufficient maintenance, theft, and diluent shortfalls. That estimate is a whisker above the 2.53 mbd Venezuela produced in the first quarter, according to OPEC numbers. But it marks the first time since the third quarter of 2008 that production fell in all districts, including the extra-heavy crude Orinoco Belt, IPD added. Given the operational woes, IPD has revised its 2016 output estimate for Venezuela, the country with the world's largest oil reserves to 2.35 mbd. "Our original forecast for 2016 annual production of 2.62 mbd could still be achieved with an oil price hike in the 70-80 US$/bbl range during the second half of the year," the consultancy said in a statement. Venezuela's Oil Ministry and state oil company PDVSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Official output figures are due later this year. PDVSA said in a statement on Tuesday that it was installing three new loading arms to speed up operations at the oil port of Jose in eastern Venezuela, which loads some 70% of Venezuela's crude exports. A union leader and a legislator in March said technical problems with loading arms were causing delays in filling and dispatching cargoes. IPD said that longer well-completion times, re-routing of gas from well pressurization to power generation, delayed well maintenance due to "restriction of field services" and theft, as well as a diluent shortfalls as leading to the output slump between January and March. "(There is a) minimal correlation between power sector crisis and crude production fall," in that quarter, the consultancy said.

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Tu comentario será moderado la primera vez que lo hagas al igual que si incluyes enlaces. A partir de ahi no ser necesario si usas los mismos datos y mantienes la cordura. No se publicarán insultos, difamaciones o faltas de respeto hacia los lectores y comentaristas de este blog.