Venezuela's gasoline imports from the US jump to 34,000 bpd in August

Data released by the US Department of Energy reveals that Venezuela purchased gasoline made in the US consistently from December 2011 through August 2012. March was the only exception.

Most recent information, corresponding to August this year, indicates that the US dispatched 34,000 gasoline barrels per day to Venezuela in that month. It was the highest figure since February 2003, when Venezuela imported 36,000 barrels of gasoline from the US amid a temporary halt in the operations of the oil industry caused by a national civic strike. 

Some 16,000 gasoline bpd have been imported from the US so far this year, particularly from May through August, when rising volumes  were reported: 6,000 in May; 14,000 in June; 26,000 in July; and 34, 000 in August.

Further imports

Similarly, a rise in the purchase of by-products has also been reported. In August this year, Venezuelan import of US by-products hiked 84%, from 45,000 barrels per day in August 2011 to 83,000 barrels one year later.

Consequently, from January through August 2012, import of US by-products averaged 54,000 barrels per day, that is, 100% above the level recorded during the same period in 2011 (27,000 barrels).

Translated by Jhean Cabrera