Venezuela's NABEP Replaces 1,149 km of Oilfield Pipelines in Lake Maracaibo

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 9, North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP) released progress on its Lake Maracaibo oilfield pipeline renovation. Since commencing operations in Zulia State, Venezuela, in 2024, the company has laid a cumulative 1,149 km of new flexible pipelines along the eastern shore of Lake Maracaibo, replacing aging steel pipes. The project covers 435 oil and gas wells across the Bachaquero and Ceuta oilfields, of which 301 wells have already resumed production through the new pipelines.

The renovation employs flexible pipes with protective layers, laid continuously by construction barges, reducing the number of pipe joints and lowering the risks of corrosion in aging pipelines and leakage at joints. NABEP adopts a well-by-well complete replacement approach for gathering and transportation pipelines, rather than merely repairing localized damaged sections of existing pipes.

According to operating data published by the company, the 301 wells connected to the new pipelines currently transport approximately 52,000 barrels of crude oil per day through the newly built lines. The remaining 134 wells have completed new pipeline installation and will be connected for use once production resumes.

In addition to the flexible pipeline replacement project, NABEP also completed in 2026 the repair of key sections of certain 12-inch oil and gas trunk lines, installing nearly 4 km of new steel pipes. This work is part of the trunk pipeline repair project and is accounted for separately from the 1,149 km flexible pipeline renovation.

Of the pipes required for subsequent construction, 176 km of new pipeline has been stored in inventory, while another 791 km is in transit. NABEP plans to continue laying approximately 3,400 km of pipelines, including new lines connecting 144 oil wells to the Bachaquero No. 3 compressor station.