UPDATE 1-CITGO's CEO says options open on US refinery deals

(Adds Venezuelan claims of most oil reserves in the world, paragraphs 13-18)

By Bernie Woodall

SAN DIEGO, March 10 (Reuters) - Citgo Petroleum Corp Chief Executive Alejandro Granado said Monday the refiner is keeping "all options open" regarding possible joint ventures or other deals to expand the use of heavy crude oil supplied by its corporate parent, Venezuela's state oil company.

In comments at the U.S. National Petrochemical & Refiners Association annual meeting in San Diego, Granado was not specific about which of Citgo's three U.S. oil refineries may be considered for the ventures.

Citgo and parent Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) are open to all offers to expand existing refineries in joint venture agreements, he said.

Granado's statements were in line with comments he and his predecessors have made previously.

He said the recent clash between PDVSA and U.S. oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) has not weakened Citgo's's bullish view of U.S. refineries.

Granado offered nothing new on the chance of an asset swap between PDVSA and Exxon Mobil involving the 193,000 barrel per day (bpd) Chalmette, Louisiana, refinery that they jointly own.

Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said last week the swap proposed by Exxon Chief Executive Rex Tillerson would be considered only if a London court lifts a $12-billion asset freeze order won by Exxon to guarantee PDVSA can pay any arbitration awards.