委内瑞拉是个濒海国家，石油储量世界第一，为什么却穷的揭不开锅

Core Insights - Venezuela possesses the largest oil reserves globally, totaling 303.2 billion barrels, surpassing Saudi Arabia's reserves by 36.2 billion barrels. However, despite this wealth, the country faces severe economic challenges, including a staggering inflation rate of 130,060% in 2018 and a significant drop in per capita GDP, which evaporated by $10,000 over five years [1][12]. Oil Quality and Extraction Challenges - While Venezuela's oil reserves are vast, the quality is poor, with 74% of the reserves being extra-heavy crude oil located in the Orinoco Belt. This type of oil is difficult to refine and process [3][5]. - The API gravity index, which measures oil quality, indicates that Venezuelan oil has an API of only 8 to 12, making it nearly immobile and requiring high extraction costs of $16.5 to $23.5 per barrel, with total costs potentially reaching $50 to $60 per barrel [5][7]. Production Decline and Economic Impact - Venezuela's oil production has drastically declined from 1.9 million barrels per day in 2015 to just 350,000 barrels per day in 2020, with a slight recovery to 1.048 million barrels per day by March 2025. This represents only 1% of the global daily production of 100 million barrels [10][20]. - The country's oil industry has suffered from a lack of investment and maintenance, leading to outdated facilities and low recovery rates, with some fields achieving less than 20% recovery compared to Saudi Arabia's 70% [8][10]. Government Policies and Economic Mismanagement - The Venezuelan government has historically mismanaged the oil sector, using the state-owned PDVSA as a cash cow without reinvesting in infrastructure or technology. This has led to a significant talent drain, with over 6 million Venezuelans, including many oil professionals, leaving the country between 2014 and 2020 [10][12]. - The government's monetary policy, characterized by excessive money printing to cover fiscal deficits, has resulted in hyperinflation and a devaluation of the currency, further exacerbating the economic crisis [12][13]. Sanctions and Market Dependency - U.S. sanctions have severely restricted Venezuela's ability to trade oil, particularly with American markets, leading to a significant drop in oil exports. In 2025, sanctions intensified, resulting in a 120,000-barrel decrease in exports compared to the previous year [14][16]. - China has become Venezuela's largest oil importer, with daily imports reaching 584,000 barrels in May 2025, a year-on-year increase of 11.21%. However, this dependency on China is precarious, as falling oil prices could lead to further financial losses for Venezuela [16][18]. Economic Viability and Future Outlook - Despite efforts to maintain oil production above 850,000 barrels per day, this volume is insufficient to support a population of 28 million, compounded by heavy external debt and ongoing U.S. sanctions, leaving the economy on the brink of collapse [20].