A work brigade sponsored by Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA is using shovels and rakes to remove congealed petroleum from a Lake Maracaibo beach. Critics blame PDVSA for the oil spills, which have led to the accumulation of black goo on everything from fishing nets and boats to outboard motors and even animals.
The oil slicks are due to constant leaks from underwater oil wells and aging pipelines along the lake bottom, leading to the decimation of the fishing industry and driving away beachgoers.
Despite the country’s worst economic crisis in history, Venezuela is increasing its oil production, now producing 850,000 barrels per day, more than twice the previous level. However, there has been a rise in accidents due to the deterioration of oil facilities, causing concern among experts and residents near production sites.
Many of the accidents have occurred in or around Lake Maracaibo, which used to be ground zero for Venezuela’s oil industry. Due to mismanagement, corruption scandals, and U.S. sanctions, Venezuelan oil production has plummeted, and maintenance and supervision have been lacking, further exacerbating the situation.
Due to the increased oil production to take advantage of the recent lifting of U.S. oil sanctions, oil spills have become more frequent, posing the main threat to the country’s marine ecosystems and contaminating drinking water in some areas.
Despite vague promises from the government to clean up the mess, there has been little government action except for the cleanup crews financed by PDVSA. In the meantime, volunteers are helping with the cleanup, but there is concern about the difficulty of attracting international energy companies to invest in the oil industry around Lake Maracaibo due to environmental liabilities.