Venezuela's refineries boost processing to 35% of capacity, sources say

Feb 19 (Reuters) - Venezuela's refining network is operating at about 35% of its installed capacity of 1.29 million barrels per day, workers at the facilities said on Thursday, above the 20% to 25% of last year but still a low volume to secure enough fuel to meet rising domestic demand.

The South American country's refineries, operated by state energy company PDVSA, are frequently hit by power outages and malfunctions that limit fuel supply to vehicles, power plants and homes. Venezuela has been forced to ration gasoline, diesel and cooking gas in the past.

However, the Amuay, Cardon, El Palito and Puerto la Cruz refineries were jointly processing some 450,000 bpd of Venezuelan crude this week, according to the sources, who added that PDVSA is trying to keep key gasoline-making plants in service.

The state company, whose oil output recovered to some 1 million bpd this month, has since last year been changing the configuration of some of its crude upgraders at the country's main oil region, the Orinoco Belt, to secure feedstock for its refineries.

Since January and under fresh U.S. licenses, Venezuela is complementing domestic fuel output with imports of U.S. naphtha, both for diluting the Orinoco's extra-heavy oil and for making high-octane gasoline.