Refinery executive Armando Diaz told ACN news agency that after completing
the refining plan for this year, they stopped for this maintenance that
need the unit to be shut down.

Diaz explained they will repair all pipelines, storage tanks and safety
valves of the refinery that re-opened in 2007 after extensive updating
works carried out as part of the agreements of the Petrocaribe energetic
cooperation mechanism.

“Due to the stability the unit has shown this year, we could shut it down
in time; therefore we will be able to have it ready to undertake the
processing of some 20 million barrels in 2012.”

Refinery General Director Humberto Padron said that they didn’t have any
major breakdown during this year, or any accidents mainly due to the
quality of the repairs done last year and the observance of the safety
measures implemented.

He said the 876 workers of the refinery enjoy a safe working environment
and the quality of food and medical services have improved lately; for
this purpose the refinery has several clinics and a high-tech health system.

Each December it undergoes maintenance. In 2011 the refinery processed 81
million barrels.