WASHINGTON, DC — Venezuela has offered to adapt its refinery operations and maximize production of heating oil in order to boost supplies to the northeastern United States for the coming winter.

Venezuelan ambassador to Washington Alfredo Toro-Hardy, told Fox news channel that his country had also offered the United States the use of the Bahamas storage terminal for Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), which has a capacity of 10 million barrels.

“We want to contribute in minimizing the possible negative impact that an eventual shortage of heating oil could have on the U.S. community this coming winter,” he said in a statement.

President Clinton said in response that he did not think rising oil prices would hurt the U.S. economy over the short to medium term, but he was still considering options to fight higher energy costs.

Publication date: 09/25/2000