Purchases From Venezuela National Oil Company Halted By Big Buyer Of Venezuelan Crude Oil

Deepening a rift amid sanctions on the OPEC-member country Venezuela, the fifth largest U.S. buyer of Venezuelan crude, PBF Energy, has halted direct purchases from state-run oil company PDVSA, reported the media citing four sources. PDVSA owes bondholders $1.2 billion in debt payments due this month and further disagreements could spell new hardships for it even…