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Diluent Shortage

A shortage of diluents, such as naphtha and condensate, is affecting Venezuelan oil production.

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Jan 6, 2026
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What is diluent, why is it critical for Venezuela’s heavy crude, and how have diluent shortages affected production?

Venezuelan heavy crude is so viscous and acidic that it must be thinned with lighter hydrocarbons called diluents (naphtha, condensate, light oil) before it can be pumped, blended for export, or proce...

Jan 6, 2026

What are the primary global sources and shipping routes for naphtha and condensate used as diluent for Venezuelan crude?

Venezuela’s extra‑heavy Orinoco crude is routinely diluted with imported naphtha and condensate, supplied principally in recent years from Russia, Iran and—under limited U.S. authorizations—U.S. heavy...