The Cardón refinery, the second largest refinery in Venezuela with a processing capacity of 310,000 barrels of oil per day, has suspended its operations due to a fire caused by a rupture in a natural gas pipeline. This incident occurred late on Tuesday, October 14, and was quickly investigated by the state-owned oil company of Venezuela (PDVSA).
Details of the Fire and Its Effects
Reliable sources have reported that the fire started from the gas pipeline connected to the refinery's diesel hydrotreater unit and led to the shutdown of all facilities, including the boilers. This refinery is part of the Paraguana refining complex, which has a total capacity of 955,000 barrels of oil per day and is considered the largest refining complex in Venezuela.
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PDVSA stated in a statement that the fire was quickly contained and there were no casualties or significant damage. However, investigations into the causes and extent of this incident are ongoing. Fires and power outages in Venezuela's oil facilities are a common problem that can directly affect the supply of essential fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
Previous Status of the Refinery and Impacts on Fuel Supply
Last month, operations of one of the crude oil distillation units and the catalyst production unit (FCC) at the Cardón refinery were halted due to a lack of feedstock. This has raised concerns about fuel supply in Venezuela, a country that heavily relies on domestic fuel supply. Videos shared on social media also showed tall columns of flames and smoke from the refinery, indicating the severity of the incident.
Currently, given the importance of the Cardón refinery in supplying fuel for the Venezuelan market, its shutdown could have serious repercussions for fuel supply and prices in the country. This incident once again highlights the challenges facing Venezuela's oil industry and underscores the need for infrastructure improvement and reduction of risks from fires and power outages.
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