CARACAS, WILLEMSTAD - Venezuela's domestic refineries remain largely inactive due to a lack of crude supplies and damaged equipment, with a shortage of rampant fuel in the country that could lead to rationing.

The 955,000 b / d Paraguaná Refining Center operated at only 20.6% capacity on Monday, according to a technical report seen by Platts, while the Puerto La Cruz refinery of 187,000 b / d worked only at 11.8% of its capacity. The El Palito refinery of 140,000 b / d has been completely closed.

"The inventories are exhausted," an operator from Paraguaná told Platts. "There are gasoline and diesel inventories for less than two days. LPG inventories are also exhausted. There is no fuel for planes either."

The Isla Refinery in Curaçao, operated by PDVSA, also faces a desperate situation. The refinery had been a lifesaver for PDVSA to process crude and supply the Venezuelan market with refined products, but with sanctions, it could have to be closed.