In Desperation, Venezuelans Steal Oil to Produce Their Own Gasoline

Chaos in Venezuela: Economic Collapse in the Country and Fuel Shortage Forces Venezuelans to Steal Oil to Produce Their Own Gasoline

Venezuela faces economic chaos and the shortage of gasoline in the world’s largest oil reserve generates despair among the population, who steal oil from dormant fields belonging to the state-owned PDVSA to manufacture their own gasoline. Iranian oil tanker loaded with gasoline headed to Venezuela “breaks through” American barriers in the Caribbean Sea

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The shortage in the world’s largest oil reserve, which produced 1.2 million bpd before the pressure of sanctions imposed by the United States (applied in January 2019 to force the exit of President Nicolás), produced only 397,000 bpd in September, the lowest level since the 1930s, forcing the population to wait in kilometers-long lines at gas stations.

Given the lack of gasoline in Venezuela, the supply chain of the so-called “artisanal gasoline” in oil fields like La Concepción, in the state of Zulia, which has produced more than 12,000 bpd of high-quality “light” oil for 15 years, has gained strength in the country.

Although the stolen oil is not significantly substantial, the action reflects the economic chaos the country is facing, where PDVSA cannot supply the local population with gasoline.

Now, small pipes protrude from holes made in ducts built to transport oil from La Concepción to tanks and export units. The pipes carry oil to primitive refineries in the backyards of a neighboring city.

Employees of the Venezuelan oil company, who earn only a few dollars a month, accept small bribes to turn a blind eye to the thefts, said a PDVSA worker.

PDVSA’s security forces hardly bother to protect inactive facilities, a pattern replicated throughout Venezuela, where the theft of equipment from oil fields has become common during the country’s economic collapse.

“It is obvious that people are stealing oil, which is the only source of wealth we have,” said the worker.

PDVSA did not comment. A former executive of the company estimated that less than 1,000 bpd are stolen, or less than 1% of total production.