PDVSA Navigates Cyberattack and Blockade to Resume Oil Deliveries

Venezuela's PDVSA resumed oil deliveries after a cyberattack disrupted operations. Despite a U.S. blockade on sanctioned tankers, the company isolated critical infrastructure from its central system. Manual records are now in use at terminals. Chevron loaded two crude cargoes destined for the U.S. after resuming operations.

Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA began restoring oil cargo deliveries at its terminals on Wednesday, following a disruptive cyberattack that affected administrative systems, according to sources close to operations.

In light of the U.S. announcement on Tuesday which enforces a blockade on all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan waters after a recent cargo seizure, PDVSA managed to isolate critical oilfields, refineries, ports, and other facilities from its compromised central system to continue operations.

Terminal workers now manually record deliveries to prevent prolonged export suspensions. Chevron, PDVSA's joint venture partner, loaded two crude shipments for the U.S. on Wednesday, as confirmed by shipping data and a source.

(With inputs from agencies.)