environmentneutral
Venezuela's Oil Problem: A Darker Shade of Black
VenezuelaTuesday, January 6, 2026
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Venezuela sits on a mountain of oil, the biggest in the world. But it's not the kind you want.
A Heavy Burden
- Thick, heavy, and full of sulfur
- Harder to refine
- Worse for the environment
Before the crisis, Venezuela was pumping out millions of barrels a day. Now, it's a fraction of that.
The Environmental Nightmare
Venezuela's oil is extra-heavy:
- Sticky and full of climate-damaging substances
- Requires more effort and money to refine
- Releases more greenhouse gases when burned
The Orinoco Belt Challenge
- Huge area in eastern Venezuela
- Refining process is more complicated
- Environmental impact is bigger
The Struggle Continues
Venezuela's oil industry is in deep trouble:
- Economic crisis
- Dirtier oil
- Harder to refine
- Worse for the planet
With production down, the country is struggling. But it's not just about the money—it's about the environment.
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