Venezuela shaken by 4.6 earthquake; no oil damage

CARACAS (Reuters) - An earthquake of 4.6 magnitude shook oil-rich northwestern Venezuela on Wednesday but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, authorities said.

The quake occurred at 1525 local time (1955 GMT) southwest of the city of Punto Fijo, said Francisco Garces, head of the local seismological center Funvisis.

"So far we've received reports that it was felt strongly ... but we're monitoring the situation to see if they report any damages," said Garces.

State oil company Petroleos de Venezuela, or PDVSA, said its Paraguana refining complex near Punto Fijo had not been affected.

"PDVSA ensures that the operational areas and administrative headquarters are working normally, as well as oil and derivatives shipments to the domestic and international markets," the company said in a statement.

The complex has a total refining capacity of 940,000 barrels per day.

Venezuela is one of the world's largest oil exporting countries.

(Reporting Fabian Andres Cambero and Marianna Parraga; Writing by Raymond Colitt; Editing by David Gregorio)