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PDVSA's BOPEC terminal on the Caribbean island of Bonaire will remain closed until further notice as damage assessments and an investigation to determine the cause of last week's fire continues, sources informed Reuters.

The 12 million barrel oil and products storage terminal is a key facility for the state-owned oil firm, which uses the terminal to carry out oil shipments to the United States and China. Bonaire is said to receive 20-25 tankers each month.

Shipping was halted at Bonaire last week after a tank containing 200,000 barrels of naptha caught fire on 8th September. PDVSA said an electical storm in the area had caused the blaze.

As a safety precaution, ships anchored near the terminal were ordered to move further from the island.

Speaking in an article published in a Venezuelan newspaper over the weekend, Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said he hoped the terminal would return to normal within a few days.

"It has still not restarted. They are still evaluating damages," a local operator told Reuters on Monday.