NABEP (North American Hydro Energy Company) has been working to reduce pollution from leaks in worn-out pipelines since 2024 by installing 1,149 kilometers (714 miles) of new flexible pipe on the eastern shore of Lake Maracaibo. The new pipelines are replacing old, rusty iron lines that had long been a major source of pollution leaks in the lake.
Current Status of Pipelines in Lake Maracaibo
Lake Maracaibo, with 25,000 kilometers (15,500 miles) of underwater pipelines, is in a critical condition due to frequent production and lack of proper maintenance over the years. According to a scientist from Simón Bolívar University in 2021, most pipelines in the area are about 50 years old, and their deterioration has exacerbated the pollution of the lake's ecosystem.
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NABEP's Strategy for Cleanup
Alexandro Betancourt, CEO of NABEP, stated: "Cleanup alone cannot meet the needs while old lines continue to leak, so we are reinvesting for a permanent solution: replacing the worn-out lines we inherited, one by one." He also mentioned NABEP's commitment to protecting the lake and maintaining positive relations with local communities.
Since starting its operations in the area, NABEP has another 176 kilometers of pipe in stock and 791 kilometers in transit. The company plans to install approximately 3,400 kilometers (2,100 miles) of new lines, which will include connections to 144 wells to the Bachacharo 3 compressor unit. This project is part of NABEP's extensive development in Venezuela, where the company recently announced that its fleet of drilling rigs will reach 41 in November and its production has exceeded 223,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed).
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