<FYI – Another fire for PDVSA Cardon Refinery – CER Comment>
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Fire at Venezuela oil refinery; output unaffected
Fire causes partial shutdown of Venezuela’s Cardon refinery; blaze under control, no injuries
On Monday March 29, 2010, 3:33 pm EDT
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A fire has forced the partial shutdown of an oil refinery in western Venezuela, but officials say there are no injuries and output has not been affected.
Cardon oil refinery manager Jesus Luongo says the fire knocked out a catalytic cracker, a unit used to break down heavy crude.
Firefighters have since brought the blaze under control.
Luongo said Monday that the cracker will be down for a couple of days, but production will be normal at the refinery in Falcon state.
Cardon produces about 300,000 barrels a day of oil and refined products such as gasoline.
Venezuela is a major oil producer and one of the top suppliers to the United States.