Reuters: "Ugly and rusty," Venezuela's refineries are relics that will be hard to revive

Eric Smith photographed in the Goldring/Woldenberg Business Complex

Eric Smith, professor of practice and associate director of the Tulane Energy Institute, was interviewed by Reuters for a story about U.S. efforts to restore Venezuela's refining capacity.

"In the current political environment, the U.S. administration is going to be interested in seeing that oil exported," said Eric Smith, associate director of Tulane University's Energy Institute. Only when Venezuela becomes "stable and creditworthy" will larger projects get attention, including refinery upgrades, he said.

To read the story in its entirety, visit reuters.com:

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/ugly-rusty-venezuelas-refineries-are-relics-that-will-be-hard-revive-2026-07-29/

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