Monthly Archives: August 2010

I don’t know why everyone searching for those terms is landing on my blog, but you should all be looking at this excellent graphic at La Tercera. Click the link, then click “Comenzar.” Bye!

PDVSA returns a nationalized oil rig to Ensco, its rightful owner.

Old-timers might remember this picture from the halcyon days of May. It shows the schedule for bringing new or restored generation on line in Venezuela over the course of 2010. The hand in this photo is the president of Venezuela. … Continue reading →

OK not everywhere, but in a few areas: The Isla refinery, operated by PDVSA, is supposed to start up Wednesday. I’m not holding my breath, as I don’t live downwind. If they can do it, that’s pretty nifty, the gigondo … Continue reading →

All these mine disasters and elections and such are keeping me busy. Light posting for a while. If you’re in the north, enjoy the end of your summer vacation. If you’re in the south, welcome to spring. If neither? Get … Continue reading →

I try to keep this site focused on oil and other natural resources but once in a while I need to snark off. Luckily I know Venezuela pretty well, and its veins of snarkery make the Orinoco Belt and Las … Continue reading →

Rescue efforts for the 33 miners trapped 700 meters (1/2 mile) underground for 17 days in Copiapó, Chile paid off today. A drill with a 20-cm (8-inch) bit aiming for the workers’ refuge point popped through to a cavity. It … Continue reading →

The Jamaica Observer points us to an IMF report (PDF) on Jamaica that says (p. 51) that the government will sell off its stake in the Petrojam refinery, a joint venture with PDVSA that has had an expansion plan on … Continue reading →

Chile’s peso has been surging on a combination of factors, including rising copper prices, a recent dollar-bond sale, a need for international investment for earthquake recovery, and a “flight to safety” as investors seek stable places to stash their money … Continue reading →

Everything in Venezuela is rising! -Look, the economy shrank much less than expected. (Not exactly a rise, but less of a fall.) -Look, the murder rate climbed in 2009 to 75 per 100,000, also known as 19,000 murders. -Look, Venezuelans … Continue reading →