The Boca de Jaruco field produces extra-viscous, extra-heavy oil (natural bitumen) from carbonate deposits using thermal steam methods. Zarubezhneft has quadrupled its annual production over the past five years, while the stock of production wells has remained unchanged at seven wells.

Cuba had 1,198 MW of installed renewables in 2020, which accounted for 18% of the nation’s total energy capacity.

Though trade between Venezuela and Cuba has not ceased amid sanctions, the flow of PDVSA’s oil has been insufficient to keep the Communist-ruled island well-supplied. Cubans have faced long lines at gas stations and for public transportation amid lack of vessels to receive imports.

The United States has targeted Cuba’s state-run company Cubametales as part of its Venezuela-related sanctions, according to a notice posted on the U.S. Treasury Department’s website on Wednesday.

Venezuela's state-owned PDVSA exported 1.416 million barrels of combined crude and products in May to Cuba's state Cubametales, up from 355,000 barrels in April.