The catalytic cracker unit of the Cardon Venezuelan refinery, which processes 300,000 bpd, is out of service for maintenance and expansion, said on Tuesday a source of the plant.

The source explained that the shutdown was normal and that the works would be extended until next year.

Venezuela's state-run oil company Petróleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa) said in 2006 that it was planning to carry out maintenance operations at several units of the Cardón refinery at the beginning of 2007. It also said that the works would go through 15 weeks and increase by 15 percent the capacity of the catalytic cracker, which is 77,000 bpd.

But the plan was repeatedly delayed due to operational problems, including accidents and unplanned shutdowns, Reuters reported.

Exports of refined products such as gasoline, from Pdvsa to the United States, the largest Venezuelan customer, have fallen recently because of failures that have hit the refineries.