April 4, 2022 [Reuters] – Curacao plans to select an operator by mid-year from among proposals to restart and operate the Caribbean island’s oil refinery and take over its oil-storage terminal, state-owned Refineria di Kòrsou (RdK) said on Sunday.

Curacao’s 330,000-barrel per day Isla refinery was idled in 2018 amid a payment dispute between then-operator Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and U.S. oil company ConocoPhillips. PDVSA’s lease expired at the end of 2019 and subsequent attempts by the island’s government to recruit a successor stalled.

At least three companies have submitted binding proposals, RdK said in a release without identifying them.

Officials from several companies have visited the refinery in Willemstad and the oil storage terminal in Bullenbaai, RdK said. A selection committee is evaluating the proposals.

“The results of the evaluation will be presented to the Supervisory Board and ultimately to the … Government of Curaçao,” with an aim to have an agreement “no later than mid-year,” RdK said in a statement.

RdK did not immediately reply to requests for comment on Sunday.

Local media citing S&P Global Platts reported bidders include former operator PDVSA; Grupo Aldea, a closely held Venezuelan company; and a Venezuelan firm organized by the former presidents of PDVSA and Cartagena Refinery.

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