Chavez, Ramirez to Host Int'l Energy Forum April 25-26

The VIII International Energy Forum & Expo will be held in Venezuela's capital Caracas from April 25-26, Patricia Martins, a spokesperson for the Venezuelan oil chamber organizing the event, told BNamericas.

President Hugo Chavez and energy and oil minister and state oil firm PDVSA president Rafael Ramirez are expected to attend.

PDVSA deputy E&P president Luis Vierma is scheduled to give a lecture as is state petrochemical firm Pequiven president Saul Ameliach.

Ali Moshiri, US oil major Chevron's (NYSE: CVX) head for Latin American upstream, is also expected to lecture on energy topics in what will be the first high-profile oil industry event after PDVSA and 16 companies signed joint ventures last week to manage some 25 oil fields.

Chevron entered into two of those JVs for the Boscan and LL652 fields in Zulia state, the only US major to do so.

"This event has become a forum between the government and the private energy companies," Martins said.

The event is expected to provide insight into lesser-known Venezuelan companies such as Suelopetrol which became international players after entering into partnerships with PDVSA.

The Radisson Hotel in Chuao, east Caracas, will be the venue for the event.

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