Venezuela’s deteriorating oil terminals are creating a bottleneck for crude exports, with some tankers waiting as long as 30 days to load because of equipment failures, power interruptions, storage limitations and cargo-quality problems.

Despite rising production, stock drawdowns and strong global demand, state energy company PDVSA and its partners have not exceeded exports of 1.25 million barrels per day in recent months, according to vessel-monitoring data. More than two decades ago, when national production exceeded 3 million bpd, Venezuelan terminals could handle exports above 2.5 million bpd and vessels typically spent less than a week in the country’s waters.

The current congestion is particularly visible around the Jose terminal on Venezuela’s northeastern coast. Jose handles approximately 70% of the country’s total oil exports, but company shipping reports indicate that loading and unloading operations have been disrupted this year by equipment malfunctions, power outages and quality issues.

Slow transfers from shore tanks are keeping vessels alongside beyond their scheduled loading periods. Operations can take longer when ships arrive with imported cargoes because available fuel-storage capacity is limited. The resulting delays have led to disputes involving demurrage, crude quality and contamination aboard tankers.

Chevron, which has long-standing access arrangements through its partnership with PDVSA, has been exploring ways to improve loading efficiency, including seeking access to ports currently used for domestic shipping, according to people familiar with the matter. Chevron did not comment, while Venezuela’s oil ministry and PDVSA also did not respond to requests for comment.

Port congestion has been compounded by tankers remaining at Venezuelan facilities from the period of severe US sanctions. Some vessels are occupying scarce berth space and have been unable to depart. At PDVSA’s Guaraguao port in Puerto La Cruz, only two of seven docks were fully operational in mid-August, according to a terminal worker.

With conventional capacity constrained, some customers have turned to alternative terminals and ship-to-ship transfer locations. Oil leaks at these sites can stain tanker hulls, generating further delays and costs. PDVSA is also facing demurrage claims amounting to thousands of dollars for vessels held beyond their agreed loading windows. The company has agreed to settle such charges only in crude, according to the report.

Commercial arrangements may add further pressure. Venezuela’s export agreement with the US has enabled traders including Vitol and Trafigura to ship more than 140 million barrels of crude and fuel this year, primarily to the US, with other cargoes reaching Europe and India as sanctions have eased.

Meanwhile, dozens of oil contracts are moving to new terms introduced under an energy reform that took effect in late July. More PDVSA partners are expected to market their production shares independently, increasing competition for docks and loading slots. PDVSA is expected to retain control of terminal operations and cargo scheduling for the time being.

PDVSA Vice President Jovanny Martinez acknowledged that infrastructure reliability needs to improve, while maintaining that the underlying facilities remain in place. US and Venezuelan officials have said fresh investment could address the constraints, although current reconstruction plans are focused mainly on raising crude production rather than prioritising terminal and refinery repairs.