A power-cut paralysed a catalytic cracker and most other operations at Venezuela's 645,000 barrels-per-day Amuay refinery on Friday, a source at state oil company PDVSA and workers at the complex said. "We had a fault that affected some plants, including the cracker. The restart is planned for today," the source said of the problems at Venezuela's largest refinery.
Labour sources told Reuters nearly the whole complex was affected, and more smoke than normal was rising. PDVSA said in a statement late on Friday that services had been re-established at the refinery and a re-start was underway at all units affected by the stoppage.
"PDVSA ratifies that the delivery of fuel to the national and international market is guaranteed," it said. Exports from South America's top oil producer have dropped in recent years, in part because refineries have suffered numerous accidents and stoppages. PDVSA said Friday's stoppage caused no damage to personnel, equipment or the environment.