{{Short description|Venezuelan energy company}} {{COI|date=January 2015}} {{Infobox company | name = Derwick | native_name = Derwick Associates de Venezuela SA | trading_name = | logo = Derwick Associates Corporate Logo.png | logo_size = 200px | caption = | type = | traded_as = | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = 2003 | founder = Alejandro Betancourt López<br>Pedro Trebbau López | defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | location_city = | location_country = Venezuela | locations = | area_served = | key_people = | industry = Energy | products = Electrical power<br />Natural gas | production = | services = Engineering<br>Power-plant construction | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies --> | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|derwickassociates.com/}} | footnotes = | intl = }}

'''Derwick''' is a Venezuelan energy company specializing in the construction of turn-key power plant projects. According to ''The Wall Street Journal'', Derwick Associates "was awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts in little more than a year to build power plants in Venezuela shortly after the country's power grid began to sputter in 2009".<ref name=CompanyInvestigated/>

==History and clients== {{unreferenced section|date=March 2019}} Derwick's first project was the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) of Picure Power Plant in Vargas state for 156 MW, awarded by the state-owned Electricidad de Caracas in 2009. It was followed by 11 more contracts from the Venezuelan government through PDVSA, CVG and Corpoelec during the 2009–2010 energy crisis in Venezuela. Four contracts were awarded by state-owned Electricidad de Caracas (part of Corpoelec since 2007), five by state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA, with the contract negotiated by Bariven, a division of PDVSA), and one by state-owned Venezuelan Guayana Corporation (CVG). The company's directors are: Edgard Romero Lazo, Iker Candina, Alejandro Betancourt López and Pedro Trebbau López.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

==Projects and actions==

===Venezuelan Engineering Procurement and Construction=== * Picure (Completed). * La Raisa I (Completed). * La Raisa II (Completed). * Guarenas I (Completed). * Guarenas II (Completed). * Adecuación Dual, Planta Juan Bautista Arismendi (Completed). * Sidor Planta A (Completed). * El Furrial (over 97% completion). * Barinas (over 97% completion). * Morichal (over 97% completion).<ref name=ElNacional2>{{cite news |author= Carías Toscano, Luis |url= http://www.el-nacional.com/economia/Derwick-edificado-plantas-termoelectricas-MW_0_271173186.html |title= Derwick ha edificado 11 plantas termoeléctricas que generan 1.386 MW |website= El-nacional.com |date= 27 September 2013|access-date= 29 March 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140330022113/http://www.el-nacional.com/economia/Derwick-edificado-plantas-termoelectricas-MW_0_271173186.html |archive-date= 30 March 2014 |trans-title= Derwick has built 11 thermoelectric plants that generate 1,386 MW}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= La venezolana Derwick, en busca de oportunidades de inversión en el sector eléctrico español| trans-title= Venezuelan Derwick, in search of investment opportunities in the Spanish electricity sector |url= https://www.expansion.com/2013/11/01/latinoamerica/empresas/1383298409.html |website= Expansión |access-date= 5 August 2014 |date= 1 November 2013}}</ref>

=== Turbine Technology Center (TTC) === Derwick´s Turbine Technology Center (TTC) was started by Derwick in 2011 and conceived as a quick response to the technical assistance needs of the country.<ref name=ElNacional1>{{cite web |url= http://www.el-nacional.com/economia/Premian-Centro-Tecnologico-Turbinas-Derwick_0_320368236.html |title= Premian en España al Centro Tecnológico de Turbinas de Derwick |trans-title= The Derwick Turbine Technology Center is awarded in Spain |language= es |website= El-nacional.com |date= 18 December 2013|access-date=2014-04-14 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140101152310/http://www.el-nacional.com/economia/Premian-Centro-Tecnologico-Turbinas-Derwick_0_320368236.html |archive-date= 1 January 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.eleconomista.es/empresas-eAm-chile/noticias/5402182/12/13/-CTT-de-Derwick-es-distinguido-como-mejor-iniciativa-empresarial-latinoamericana.html |language=es |title= CTT de Derwick es distinguido como mejor iniciativa empresarial latinoamericana |trans-title= TTC de Derwick is distinguished as the best Latin American business initiative |website= elEconomista.es |date= 17 December 2013 |access-date= 14 April 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140407095657/http://www.eleconomista.es/empresas-eAm-chile/noticias/5402182/12/13/-CTT-de-Derwick-es-distinguido-como-mejor-iniciativa-empresarial-latinoamericana.html |archive-date= 7 April 2014}}</ref>

In December 2013, Derwick Associates received an award for "The Best Latin-American Initiative",<ref name=initiative>{{cite web | url= https://finance.yahoo.com/news/derwick-associates-wins-capital-award-153000709.html | title=Derwick Associates Wins Capital Award for Best Latin American Initiative | work=Yahoo Finance | date= 13 December 2013 | access-date=20 July 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140410073639/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/derwick-associates-wins-capital-award-153000709.html |archive-date= 10 April 2014 |publisher= PR Newswire}}</ref> given by ''Capital'', a Spanish financial magazine.<ref name= ElNacional1/> The award recognized the TTC as an important initiative that has helped to improve Venezuela's power system.<ref name=initiative/>

==Controversy and litigation==

===Independent investigations=== In 2011, César Batiz of Venezuelan newspaper ''Ultimas Noticias'' published an investigative series alleging overbilling and odd transactions between BARIVEN and Derwick Associates. The articles alleged that the company had no experience building power plants when it was contracted to build them.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/ciudad/parroquias/ipys-reconoce-investigacion-de-periodista-de-un.aspx |title= Ipys reconoce investigación de periodista de ÚN |trans-title= Ipys recognizes investigation of ÚN journalist|website= Ultimasnoticias.com.ve |date= 14 October 2011|access-date= 29 March 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140329021248/http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/ciudad/parroquias/ipys-reconoce-investigacion-de-periodista-de-un.aspx |archive-date= 29 March 2014}}</ref> A deputy to the National Assembly called for an investigation of how the Derwick contracts were awarded.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/08/15/oposicion-exige-revisar-plan-de-inversion-electrica |title= Oposición exige revisar plan de inversión eléctrica |trans-title= Opposition demands review of electric investment plan|language=es |work= El Universal |date= 15 August 2011 |access-date= 14 April 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140415041051/http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/08/15/oposicion-exige-revisar-plan-de-inversion-electrica |archive-date= 15 April 2014}}</ref> ''Ultimas Noticias'' won an award for investigative journalism in 2012 for its investigation. According to Reporters Without Borders and to the Institute of Press and Society, reporters received "threats, pressures, bribe offers" or were banned on Venezuela's internet.<ref> {{cite web |url= http://www.el-nacional.com/economia/Calculan-sobreprecio-plantas-supera-millardos_0_245375679.html |work= El Nacional |date= 15 August 2013|access-date= 10 March 2019|title=Calculan que sobreprecio en plantas supera $ 20 millardos | trans-title= Calculation that plant overpricing exceeds $ 20 billion |language= es |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130817165753/http://www.el-nacional.com/economia/Calculan-sobreprecio-plantas-supera-millardos_0_245375679.html |archive-date= 17 August 2013 |author= Carias Toscano, Luis}}</ref><ref name=Boyd/><ref>{{ cite journal |url= https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/venezuelas-electricity-deficit |work= Americas Quarterly |date= Fall 2013 |access-date= 10 March 2019|title= Venezuela's electricity deficit |author= Batiz, Cesar}}</ref> In 2012, Batiz told IPYS he was offered a bribe to stop writing about the Venezuelan electricity industry.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://ipys.org.ve/alerta?id=3238 |title= Autor de investigaciones periodísticas sobre sector eléctrico es citado por presunto funcionario de policía de inteligencia e intimidado por empresa contratista |trans-title= Author of journalistic investigations on electric sector is quoted by alleged intelligence police officer and intimidated by contractor |date= 18 December 2012 |publisher= IPYS |access-date= 21 October 2013}}</ref>

According to claims by energy expert José Aguilar, the 40 contracts awarded to various companies, including Derwick, to address the Venezuelan energy crisis were overbilled by billions of dollars.<ref name= Boyd>{{cite news |url= https://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/09/05/actualidad/1378389465_768430.html |title= La corrupción apaga a Venezuela |trans-title= Corruption turns off Venezuela|website=Internacional.elpais.com |date= 5 September 2013 |access-date= 30 April 2014 |author= Boyd, Alek}}</ref> Derwick director Edgard Romero Lazo claimed that allegations of overbilling and bribery were "part of a defamation campaign" against the company.<ref name=ElNacional2/> The company claims that all contracts are available to the public through the National Contractors Registry (RNC).<ref name=ElNacional2/>

===Lawsuits=== In 2013, Derwick was sued in the New York Federal Court by Washington businessman and ex-ambassador Otto Reich, who alleged that Derwick's executives defamed him and caused his consulting business to suffer financial losses, accusing Derwick of falsely stating that he consulted for them.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-former-us-ambassador-to-venezuela-files-bribe-suit-2013jul31-story.html |title= Former US ambassador to Venezuela files bribe suit |work= San Diego Tribune |agency= Associated Press | access-date= 10 March 2019 |date= 31 July 2013}}</ref> In a separate legal action, Thor Leonardo Halvorssen Mendoza, a human rights lawyer, alleged defamation and sued Derwick and its partners.<ref>{{cite news|author=Maria, Antonio |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/27/4023508/lawsuit-filed-in-miami-accuses.html |title= Lawsuit filed in Miami accuses Venezuela top official, Diosdado Cabello, of bribery |work= Miami Herald |date= 27 March 2014 |access-date= 1 April 2014 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140330013640/https://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/27/4023508/lawsuit-filed-in-miami-accuses.html |archive-date= 30 March 2014}}</ref>

Both suits have been dismissed.<ref>{{cite news|author= Newsham, Jack |title= 2nd Circ. won't sve ex-Venezuela Ambassador's RICO case |url= https://www.law360.com/articles/928884/2nd-circ-won-t-save-ex-venezuela-ambassador-s-rico-case |work= Law360 |date= 26 May 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Corte de EEUU desestima acusación contra Derwick Associates |trans-title= US Court dismisses accusation against Derwick Associates |url= http://archivo.globovision.com/corte-de-eeuu-desestima-acusacion-contra-derwick-associates/ |work= Globovision |date=18 July 2015 |language=es-ES |access-date= 10 March 2019 }}</ref>

===US Department of Justice investigations=== In August 2014, it was reported in ''The Wall Street Journal'' that Derwick was under preliminary investigations by the United States Department of Justice and Manhattan prosecutors due to bribery allegations and possible banking infractions.<ref name= CompanyInvestigated/> ProEnergy Services, an energy company based in Missouri, was also said to be under investigation due to its relationship with Derwick.<ref name= CompanyInvestigated/> Manhattan prosecutors were specifically investigating Derwick and ProEnergy Services due to potential violations of New York banking laws.<ref name= CompanyInvestigated/> Federal prosecutors are investigating the two companies for potential breaches of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, "which prohibits offering foreign government officials improper payments in exchange for a business advantage", with prosecutors suspicious of the potentially inflated prices used by Derwick and ProEnergy Services for the Venezuelan government that possibly showed raised prices to cover acts of bribery.<ref name=CompanyInvestigated>{{cite web | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/venezuelan-energy-company-derwick-investigated-in-u-s-1407516278 | title=Venezuelan energy company investigated in U.S. | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=8 August 2014 | access-date=8 August 2014 |author1=Cordoba, Jose |author2=Mathews, Christopher }}</ref>

In March 2016, Derwick's activities were investigated by U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in New York. Switzerland's Federal Office of Justice confirmed that 18 Swiss banks, following the measures of mutual assistance, agreed to turn over any existing bank records they would have involving representatives of the company, the first official statement acknowledging the investigation against Derwick by the United States Department of Justice.<ref name=bloommarch>{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-24/swiss-banks-land-in-middle-of-money-laundering-probe-again | title=Swiss Banks Land in Middle of Money-Laundering Probe -- Again | work=Bloomberg | access-date=6 April 2016}}</ref><ref name=insidermarch>{{cite web | url=http://www.businessinsider.com/r-switzerland-to-hand-venezuela-oil-firm-bank-records-to-us-2016-3 | title=Switzerland to hand Venezuela oil firm bank records to U.S. | work=Business Insider | access-date=6 April 2016}}</ref> According to a Derwick spokesman, the investigation was suspended after the Justice Department reviewed its bank records, though the Department of Justice did not confirm this.<ref name=OHARA>{{cite news|last1=Schaefer Muñoz|first1=Sara|last2=Kurmanaev|first2=Anatoly|title=Colombian Oil Producer Pacific Falls From Grace|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/colombian-oil-producer-pacific-falls-from-grace-1461111089|access-date=27 April 2016|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=19 April 2016}}</ref>

== 2019 Venezuelan power outages ==

When the largest blackout in Venezuela's history occurred in March 2019, ''The Wall Street Journal'' wrote that "Venezuela's power grid slowly has decayed over the past decade due to what economists and former officials say is mismanagement, corruption and Latin America's deepest economic crisis on record, leading the government to virtually abandon public investment."<ref name= BlackoutPlunges/> The article highlighted past Derwick contracts with state companies, saying "One company, Derwick Associates, formed by a number of well connected young businessmen with scant experience in the power business, received about $1.8 billion in contracts from Venezuelan state companies to buy and install turbines, paying a U.S. company about $1 billion to do the work."<ref name= BlackoutPlunges>{{cite news | url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/venezuela-blackout-stretches-across-country-closing-schools-and-businesses-11552053011 |work=The Wall Street Journal |title= Venezuela Blackout Plunges Millions Into Darkness; Maduro, without evidence, blames sabotage by local opponents and the U.S. for power outage |author= Dube, Ryan and Maolis Castro |date= 8 March 2019 |access-date= 10 March 2019 |quote= One company, Derwick Associates, formed by a number of well connected young businessmen with scant experience in the power business, received about $1.8 billion in contracts from Venezuelan state companies to buy and install turbines, paying a U.S. company about $1 billion to do the work. Derwick officials said they paid no bribes to any Venezuelan officials and the prices charged by the company reflected the high costs of doing business in Venezuela.}}</ref> Derwick denies that any bribes were taken, saying the prices reflect the costs in Venezuela.<ref name= BlackoutPlunges/>

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

Category:Energy companies of Venezuela Category:Construction and civil engineering companies of Venezuela Category:Energy companies established in 2003 Category:Corruption in Venezuela Category:Construction and civil engineering companies established in 2003 Category:Venezuelan companies established in 2003