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Explosion and Fire Reported at Venezuela’s Petrocedeno Upgrader

The Orinoco Belt facility converts extra‑heavy crude into exportable grades, raising concern about potential disruption to processing capacity.

Overview

  • Local media and unnamed PDVSA sources reported a blaze on Wednesday at the Petrocedeno project in Anzoátegui state.
  • A worker from a nearby project said an explosion was heard near the upgrader’s distillation tower before the fire.
  • Emergency crews evacuated personnel and ambulances headed to the site, with no injuries officially reported so far.
  • Sources said the flames may have reached a nearby naphtha plant, a detail that remains unconfirmed.
  • PDVSA has not issued a public statement and the extent of damage, cause, and operational impact are still being assessed.