Venezuelan proven oil reserves late in April increased by 30 billion barrels of oil to 130 billion barrels, Minister of Energy and Petroleum Rafael Ramírez stated on Thursday.

"In April 2008, a total of 30 billion barrels of oil has been included as additional proven oil reserves," in Orinoco Oil Belt, which is rich in extra-heavy oil, Ramírez said, according to AFP.   

"Therefore, this takes Venezuelan proven oil reserves to 130 billion barrels of oil. We expect to reach 235 billion barrels of oil by 2009," Ramírez, CEO of state-run oil company Petróleos de Venezuela, stressed.