Venezuela state oil company cuts gas export to neighboring Colombia

BOGOTA, Colombia – Colombia's Mining Ministry says the Venezuelan state oil company is temporarily halting gas exports across the border.

The ministry says that PDVSA notified it that supplies will be suspended as of Friday. It cites the need for gas to generate local electricity due to climate factors in Venezuela, but gives no details.

An agreement calls for Venezuela to send 39 million cubic feet of gas per day to Colombia. That's about 3 percent of Colombia's supply.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration says that while Venezuela has enormous natural gas reserves, it's been consuming more than it produces in recent years. Part is used to generate power and some to help in oil production.

Colombia in the past has been a key supplier of gas to Venezuela.