http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=31765 A Sudden Plunge In Production? Is Venezuela's oil production rapidly waning? One source reports that the world's fifth largest oil producer is showing signs of a rapid decrease in production, one of the key tenets of the peak oil theory. Venezuela is buying oil from Russia in order to avoid defaulting on deliveries to clients. The situation raises serious questions about the country's oil production and the future of PDVSA as a major oil producer, and increases the risk to the U.S. oil supply should the country's oil production suddenly plummet. According to the Financial Times: "Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest oil exporter, has struck a $2bn deal to buy about 100,000 barrels a day of crude oil from Russia until the end of the year. Venezuela has been forced to turn to an outside source to avoid defaulting on contracts with "clients" and "third parties" as it faces a shortfall in production, according to a person familiar with the deal. Venezuela could incur penalties if it fails to meet its supply contracts."
They produce 2.4M barrels/day. This is a drop in the bucket. My SWAG is that something slowed production rather than there is a problem with their total reserves.
When the Bush Oil Premium goes away.... Possible IMF time for Venezuela...Bolivia.. And the list could get longer.....