Venezuela's PDVSA asks some joint ventures to cut back oil output, sources say

Jan 4 (Reuters) - Venezuela's state-run PDVSA is asking some of its joint ventures to cut back crude output by shutting down oilfields or well clusters as onshore stocks mount and the company runs out of diluents amid an export paralysis, three sources close to the decision said.

Oil exports from the OPEC country, whose deposed President Nicolas Maduro and first lady were extracted by U.S. forces on Saturday unleashing a deep political crisis, remain at a standstill following the announced U.S. blockade of all sanctioned tankers going in and out of its waters and the seizure of two oil cargoes.