In August 2023, Venezuela told OPEC it produced an average of 820,000 barrels of oil daily. This is a 10,000-barrel rise from July.
Venezuela’s own data to OPEC shows these numbers beat the May average of 819,000 barrels.
Independent groups offer different numbers. They say Venezuela produced 730,000 barrels daily in August.
Both sets of numbers show an increase from past years. For example, the country produced around 636,000 barrels daily in 2021 and 716,000 in 2022.
Oil sales are the primary way Venezuela earns foreign money. Yet, the oil sector has seen many setbacks recently.
Officials in Venezuela say U.S. sanctions are a big reason for the downturns. These sanctions target the state-owned firm PDVSA and started in 2017.
Background
The oil sector has long shaped Venezuela’s economy. For decades, the country relied heavily on oil exports for revenue.
This dependency has had its ups and downs. High oil prices brought prosperity, but downturns led to economic challenges.
In the 2000s, high oil prices funded social programs and infrastructural growth. But when prices fell in 2014, the economy took a hit.
Many blame this dependence for the country’s current economic issues.
Global demand for oil has also played a role. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced this demand.
Venezuela felt the impact keenly because of its dependence on oil sales.
The U.S. sanctions aimed to pressure the Venezuelan government. They have significantly impacted the country’s economic performance.
Venezuela claims these sanctions hurt its ability to produce and sell oil.
OPEC plays a key role in global oil markets. Venezuela’s reporting to OPEC holds weight because it impacts global prices.
Independent groups offer alternate data to provide a balanced view. This difference in reported numbers can create market volatility.
In the broader Latin American context, Venezuela’s oil sector stands out. The country has some of the largest oil reserves in the world.
Yet, it struggles to maintain stable production.