NABEP Restarts Critical Furnace in Orinoco Belt to Boost Oil Production
On November 3, 2026, North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP) announced the successful restart of a key furnace at their Zuata 2 facility, located in the Orinoco Belt of Venezuela. This critical piece of equipment had been out of operation for five years, and its resumption is expected to significantly enhance the company’s oil production capabilities. With this furnace back online, NABEP anticipates an additional production capacity of between 8,000 to 10,000 barrels of oil per day.
This substantial increase in oil output translates into an estimated annual boost of approximately 2.92 million to 3.65 million barrels, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars under current market prices. The specific furnace plays a crucial role in heating the extra-heavy crude oil extracted from the ground, which is initially mixed with water. The heating process separates the oil from the water, ensuring it meets the necessary quality standards for sale—with a maximum allowable water content of 2%.
Before resuming operations, NABEP completed extensive repairs, technical inspections, and mechanical tests to ensure the furnace’s reliability. The plant itself has a processing capacity of about 210,000 barrels per day, indicating room for further growth within the company’s operations. NABEP's CEO, Alejandro Betancourt, expressed optimism about the future, stating, “Capacities that have been dormant for years are now being brought back into operation thanks to our dedicated team in the east of Venezuela.”
Two years ago, NABEP was producing roughly 18,000 barrels per day. With the restart of this furnace, the company expects to contribute significantly to increasing its overall production levels. Recent upgrades like this are not only geared towards enhancing output but are also aimed at creating jobs for many Venezuelans, a much-needed boost for the local economy.
The announcement regarding the furnace's startup follows an earlier update on October 31, indicating plans to expand the company's drilling fleet to a total of 41 rigs this month. On October 19, NABEP recorded a total output of 223,509 barrels of oil equivalent per day, up from about 200,000 in August. This growth coincides with a significant agreement signed with the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of Defense aimed at expanding oil production within Venezuela. The first million barrels associated with this agreement were delivered to Corpus Christi, Texas, on October 27.
NABEP holds the marketing rights to over 65 billion barrels of proven oil reserves in Venezuela, with an ambitious goal to exceed one million barrels of oil produced per day, achieving a milestone of 500,000 barrels per day by the end of 2028. The company employs 5,000 personnel and supports an additional 10,000 contract workers throughout Venezuela. Over the past two years, production has surged from about 18,000 barrels daily to over 200,000 barrels, driven by an investment exceeding one billion dollars from internal funding.
North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP) is an independent oil exploration and production company operating across North and Latin America with offices in Caracas, Maracaibo, and Lechería. The company is committed to the responsible development of energy resources, ensuring the safety of its employees and contributing to the prosperity of the communities in which it operates. For more information, visit www.nabep.net.
This substantial increase in oil output translates into an estimated annual boost of approximately 2.92 million to 3.65 million barrels, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars under current market prices. The specific furnace plays a crucial role in heating the extra-heavy crude oil extracted from the ground, which is initially mixed with water. The heating process separates the oil from the water, ensuring it meets the necessary quality standards for sale—with a maximum allowable water content of 2%.
Before resuming operations, NABEP completed extensive repairs, technical inspections, and mechanical tests to ensure the furnace’s reliability. The plant itself has a processing capacity of about 210,000 barrels per day, indicating room for further growth within the company’s operations. NABEP's CEO, Alejandro Betancourt, expressed optimism about the future, stating, “Capacities that have been dormant for years are now being brought back into operation thanks to our dedicated team in the east of Venezuela.”
Two years ago, NABEP was producing roughly 18,000 barrels per day. With the restart of this furnace, the company expects to contribute significantly to increasing its overall production levels. Recent upgrades like this are not only geared towards enhancing output but are also aimed at creating jobs for many Venezuelans, a much-needed boost for the local economy.
The announcement regarding the furnace's startup follows an earlier update on October 31, indicating plans to expand the company's drilling fleet to a total of 41 rigs this month. On October 19, NABEP recorded a total output of 223,509 barrels of oil equivalent per day, up from about 200,000 in August. This growth coincides with a significant agreement signed with the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of Defense aimed at expanding oil production within Venezuela. The first million barrels associated with this agreement were delivered to Corpus Christi, Texas, on October 27.
NABEP holds the marketing rights to over 65 billion barrels of proven oil reserves in Venezuela, with an ambitious goal to exceed one million barrels of oil produced per day, achieving a milestone of 500,000 barrels per day by the end of 2028. The company employs 5,000 personnel and supports an additional 10,000 contract workers throughout Venezuela. Over the past two years, production has surged from about 18,000 barrels daily to over 200,000 barrels, driven by an investment exceeding one billion dollars from internal funding.
About North American Blue Energy Partners
North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP) is an independent oil exploration and production company operating across North and Latin America with offices in Caracas, Maracaibo, and Lechería. The company is committed to the responsible development of energy resources, ensuring the safety of its employees and contributing to the prosperity of the communities in which it operates. For more information, visit www.nabep.net.
Topics Energy）
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