At first glance, it might seem that Venezuelan maritime oil operations are maintaining their usual pace, but the effects of the U.S. operation “Lanza del sur” in the Caribbean are becoming apparent, making these operations more expensive, risky, and dependent on the Asian market.
A report received by Venezuela Política details the state of loading and unloading operations at the José Antonio Anzoátegui Oil Storage and Shipment Terminal (TAECJAA/TOJ), reflecting an apparent normalcy — or rather, resilience — in operations, but this is more indicative of a new reality.
The main destinations now are Singapore, Malaysia, and China, which indicates that PDVSA is striving to maintain the flow of crude oil — especially Merey 16 and 18 — redirecting it towards Asia to evade sanctions and the blockade in the Caribbean. However, the high number of ships “waiting” shows that, although vessels are available, logistics are considerably slower due to security precautions and a shortage of diluents (naphtha), which is also impacted by the naval blockade.
Apparent Normalcy
In the José terminal, there exists an apparent normalcy of operations.
Although Nicolás Maduro’s regime claimed that oil production registered an 18.6% growth during 2025 compared to 2024 (1), it forgot to mention that the industry is far from meeting its quota according to the country’s installed capacity, which is 3,200,000 barrels per day. Analysts note that oil production has increased by nearly 50,000 barrels per day, a figure that is far off from its real capabilities (2).
Direct sources from OPEC report that production rose in 2025 to 930,000 barrels per day, but sources from the organization officially place it at over 1,000,000 barrels daily. The recent seizure of the ship Skipper could lead to losses between USD 50 and 100 million (3). Ghost ships like the Skipper allow Maduro’s regime to circumvent sanctions.
At the José terminal, there appears to be normalcy in terms of the number of vessels visible in port, but this is merely a deceptive reflection as many of these ships are there because they cannot leave easily or are waiting for STS transfers (ship-to-ship) to obscure the origin of the crude before crossing the Caribbean.
This situation reflects a type of operational resilience, but a clear decline in commercial efficiency. Activity is not halted, as evidenced by the numbers, but it is now much more costly, risky, and exclusively dependent on the Asian market and allies like Cuba. This situation distances operations from what would be considered normal.
Operation Report at the José Terminal
A report on activities at the José Antonio Anzoátegui Oil Storage and Shipment Terminal (TAECJAA/TOJ) outlines operations until December 11, detailing the maritime loading and unloading of hydrocarbons at various terminals, including the Monoboya GFM II and the SUR, ESTE, and OESTE platforms.
Furthermore, it reveals that these activities focus primarily on the export of heavy crude Merey 16, with shipments mainly destined for Asia — China, Malaysia, Singapore — and a partner in the Caribbean, Cubametales (Cuba). Simultaneously, unloading operations are recorded for improvement and dilution processes, notably the receipt of diluent naphtha from international players like Chevron, Petro Energy Limited, and Satau Tijana Oil Trading.
The main actors involved in these operations are:
- PDVSA, managing domestic crude transfers to refineries such as Amuay;
- Chevron, participating in both the export of improved crude (Special Hamaca Blend) and the import of diluents; and
- Asian trading companies that are the largest recipients of Merey 16 crude.
It can be seen that there is a mix of ships loading, others that have completed their operations and are awaiting clearance to depart, while some remain anchored awaiting docking instructions.
Operations
Export operations predominantly focus on Merey 16 crude, although they also include other products like Fuel Oil and mixed crudes.
Merey 16 Crude Exports
Merey 16 crude represents the largest documented export volume, with large capacity vessels (VLCC) involved. The main destinations are Cuba and various ports in Asia.
Key consignee – Cubametales: this entity is a significant recipient of Merey 16, destined for the port of Matanzas, Cuba. The ships involved include the SKIPPER (1,110 KBBLS) — the vessel confiscated by the U.S. —, the SIRI (1,110 KBBLS), and the SONGA (540 KBBLS).
Asian destinations:
- Forever Energy Trade, Co. Ltd (Malaysia): received shipments aboard the SKIPPER (900 KBBLS), the SIRI (900 KBBLS), and the GALAXY 3 (1,000 KBBLS).
- Petro Energy Limited (Singapore): consignee of two shipments on the EKTA, each of 950 KBBLS.
- Satau Tijana Oil Trading LLC (China): received the largest individual recorded shipment, with 1,900 KBBLS aboard the CRAG, destined for Qingdao.
Other Crude and Fuel Exports
In addition to Merey 16, other products are exported to international destinations and transferred to national refineries.
- Fuel Oil: the CAPE BALDER loaded 450 KBBLS of Fuel Oil for Jose Petro Energy Limited, destined for Singapore.
- Special Hamaca Blend: the NAVE NEUTRINO is in the process of loading 500 KBBLS of this special crude for Chevron Global Technology, destined for the United States.
- Blend 17 Crude Oil: the PHENIX VI is loading 500 KBBLS of this crude for PDVSA, destined for the Amuay port, Venezuela.
Unloading Operations (Imports and Transfers)
Unloading operations are directed towards local processing and focus on the receipt of diluents and the transfer of other products between terminals. The primary destination for these unloadings is the “JOSE OFFSHORE PLATFORM”.
Diluent Naphtha Reception
Naphtha diluent is a critical input imported by various companies for use in offshore platform operations.
- The EKTA unloaded 430 KBBLS for Petro Energy Limited.
- The NAVE NEUTRINO unloaded 300 KBBLS for Chevron Global Technology.
- The YUHAN unloaded 290 KBBLS for Satau Tijana Oil Trading LLC.
- The vessels ARIA (320 KBBLS) and PREMIER (330 KBBLS), consigned to Satau Tijana Oil Trading LLC, are anchored, awaiting docking instructions to unload.
Other Unloading and Internal Transfers
Unloading of other products for PDVSA and transfers between terminals have been recorded.
- Light Crude Oil 45: the BRIENNA unloaded 1,070 KBBLS for Forever Energy Trade, Co. Ltd at the offshore platform.
- Light Cracked Material: the NILE unloaded 100 KBBLS for PDVSA at the offshore platform.
- Blend 22 Crude Oil: the ROSALIN unloaded 340 KBBLS for PDVSA, destined for La Salina from the offshore platform.
Overall Operational Status of Vessels
| Vessel | Current Status | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| PHENIX VI | Loading | Loading 500 KBBLS of Blend 17 Crude Oil at Monoboya GFM II. |
| NAVE NEUTRINO | Loading/ Taking on Load | Loading 500 KBBLS of Special Hamaca Blend after unloading Naphtha. |
| GALAXY 3 | Waiting for Unmooring Pilot | Loading operation completed; waiting for pilot to depart. |
| CAPE BALDER | Anchored Waiting for Exit Formalities | Loading operation completed; waiting on exit paperwork. |
| EKTA | Anchored Waiting for Exit Formalities | Multiple operations completed; waiting on exit paperwork. |
| CRAG | Anchored Waiting for Exit Formalities | Loading operation completed; waiting for exit paperwork. |
| ARIA | Anchored Waiting for Exit Formalities | Anchored awaiting instructions to dock and unload. |
| PREMIER | Anchored Awaiting Docking Instructions | Anchored awaiting instructions to dock and unload. |
| SKIPPER | Loaded | Loading operation completed. |
| SIRI | Loaded | Loading operation completed. |
| ROSALIN | Loaded | Loading operation completed. |
| SONGA | Loaded | Loading operation completed. |
| EKTA (Unloading) | Unloaded | Unloading operation completed. |
| NILE | Unloaded | Unloading operation completed. |
| ROSALIN (Unloading) | Unloaded | Unloading operation completed. |
| BRIENNA | Unloaded | Unloading operation completed. |
| YUHAN | Unloaded | Unloading operation completed. |
Summary by Consignee and Destination
| Consignee | Product(s) | Destination(s) | Total Quantity (KBBLS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satau Tijana Oil Trading LLC | Merey 16, Naphtha Diluent | Qingdao (China), José Offshore Platform | 2,840 |
| Forever Energy Trade, Co. Ltd | Merey 16, Light Crude Oil 45 | Malaysia (Asia), José Offshore Platform | 3,870 |
| Cubametales | Merey 16 | Matanzas (Cuba) | 2,760 |
| Petro Energy Limited | Fuel Oil, Merey 16, Naphtha Diluent | Singapore, José Offshore Platform | 2,780 |
| PDVSA | Blend 17, Blend 22, Light Cracked Material | Amuay, La Salina (Venezuela) | 940 |
| Chevron Global Technology | Special Hamaca Blend, Naphtha Diluent | USA, José Offshore Platform | 800 |
Look in Sin Filtros “#DossierVenezuelaPodcast: The Cartel of the Suns operates as a parallel state in Venezuela.”
Sources Consulted:
1) Bitácora Económica (December 10, 2025). “Oil growth reached 18.6% and power generation increased its capacity by 40% in 2025.” https://bitacoraeconomica.com/crecimiento-petrolero-en-venezuela-alcanzo-186-durante-2025/
2) Banca y Negocios (December 15, 2025). “#Analysis: What could the price of Venezuelan oil be in 2026?” https://www.bancaynegocios.com/analisis-a-cuanto-podria-ubicarse-el-precio-del-petroleo-venezolano-en-2026/
3) Noticia al Minuto (December 12, 2025). “How much are the losses estimated for Venezuela? After the seizure of an oil ship in the Caribbean by the United States.” https://noticiaalminuto.com/en-cuanto-estiman-las-perdidas-para-venezuela-tras-incautacion-de-navio-petrolero-en-el-caribe-por-parte-de-estados-unidos/