Maybe Hugo needs to diversify his income by starting all those gold dollars flowing in case oil gets wacked.

Quake hits oil region in Venezuela
Web posted at: 8/12/2008 3:16:15
Source ::: REUTERS

CARACAS • A 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook east Venezuela yesterday morning, damaging dozens of buildings and forcing patients to evacuate a hospital in the oil producing region.

The epicenter of the quake was on the coast of the state of Sucre at a depth of 18.6 miles (30km), about 190 miles (305km) east of Caracas, the US Geological Survey said. Venezuela's seismic authority said the quake had a magnitude of 5.2.

Interior Minister Ramon Rodriguez said around 50 buildings suffered slight damage, and a hospital was evacuated after tiles fell from the walls. No injuries were reported.

A spokesman for state oil company PDVSA said there was no impact on operations.

Television images showed patients on beds in a tent outside the clinic as emergency workers checked the building for structural damage.

Telecommunications and electrical systems were briefly affected. The earthquake was also felt in Anzoategui, home to the Puerto La Cruz oil refinery and the Orinoco heavy crude oil belt.