In November 2015, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House) reported, according to Falcón state authorities, that the Paraguaná refinery of Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA had expanded its desalination plant. Around US$250 million went into the facility in Punta Cardón, Carirubana municipality, lifting output by a third to almost 70,000 m³/day (70 Ml/d). The water was used for public drinking supply. With the north and northwest in drought for almost two years, the government planned more capacity with Chinese help, including in Los Taques.
The report showed an oil company turning its desalination capacity toward public supply during a drought, and Venezuela relying on Chinese backing for further coastal plants.