The Cuban regime announced on Thursday that the Varadero 1 012 oil well, recognized as the longest in Cuba at a depth of 8,047 meters, is currently producing 300 tons of oil daily. This well, which began operations in April 2024, signifies a major technological advance in the country's hydrocarbon drilling, according to the regime. Meanwhile, Cubans endure up to 12-hour daily blackouts.
An article from the state-run Granma newspaper highlighted that this well was designed by a multidisciplinary team from the Empresa de Perforación y Extracción de Petróleo del Centro (EPEP-C) and was drilled over 546 days with the cooperation of foreign companies and advanced technologies. Renier Rodríguez González, a specialist in Reservoirs at EPEP-C, mentioned that the well's output could potentially increase by 100 tons daily.
Significant Technological Challenge
This well joins four others in the northern Varadero strip, collectively contributing 28% of the company's total crude oil production. The wells in this region are known for their technical complexity, as they feature horizontal or directional completions, presenting a considerable challenge compared to the vertical drilling methods used until the year 2000.
Electricity Generation and Dependence
Oil production in Cuba is crucial since most of it is directed towards electricity generation—a sector still heavily reliant on hydrocarbons despite government claims of efforts to diversify the energy matrix towards renewable sources.
The country is experiencing a severe energy crisis due to fuel shortages and the poor condition of its thermal power plants, leading to prolonged blackouts and widespread public discontent. Many Cubans see these optimistic government announcements as mere distractions. "Another sweet to fool the naive. Remember when they announced they found gold? Or when they said the Russians would invest in Cuba and revive the economy?" questioned Manuel Viera, a vocal critic of the dictatorship, on social media.
Public Reaction and Skepticism
When the regime grandly announced the completion of the longest horizontal oil well in Cuba, calling it a "national engineering feat," the public reception was tepid. Amid the ongoing energy crisis, the government continues to promote these high-cost energy exploitation projects, despite the possibility that their benefits may not be immediate.