A powerful explosion followed by a large fire erupted on Wednesday at the Petrocedeno crude upgrader in eastern Venezuela, according to reports from Reuters, local media, and PDVSA sources. The blast was reportedly heard near the upgrader’s distillation tower, with flames possibly spreading to a nearby naphtha plant.
Emergency crews rushed to the site, and ambulances were seen heading toward the facility. Workers were evacuated, although no injuries have been officially confirmed at this time.
Fire Follows Loud Blast at Petrocedeno Crude Upgrader
Local reports indicate the fire started shortly after an explosion shook the Petrocedeno plant. One worker from a neighboring project said the blast occurred close to the distillation tower. Another source stated that the flames may have extended into the naphtha processing area.
Despite the intense fire, officials have not yet released details regarding casualties or the full extent of the damage.
Petrocedeno: Key Facility in Venezuela’s Oil-Producing Region
Petrocedeno is part of the Orinoco Belt, Venezuela’s most important oil-producing region. Crude upgraders like Petrocedeno are essential for processing extra-heavy crude oil into exportable grades, making any disruption at the facility significant for the country’s energy sector.
Firefighters and emergency teams remain on-site as they continue to assess the situation. PDVSA, which operates the facility, has not yet issued an official statement.
Investigation and Damage Assessment Underway
Local media confirm that workers have been evacuated while authorities examine the source of the explosion. With emergency personnel still battling the flames, the full impact on operations at the Petrocedeno upgrader remains unclear.
More updates are expected once PDVSA or regional authorities provide official information.
