EXHIBIT 12.1 PDV AMERICA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Year Ended December 31, --------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- (Dollars in Thousands) Income before provision for income taxes $ 215,781 $ 226,482 $ 322,940 $ 252,373 $ 174,212 Equity earnings in excess of distributions (8,672) (19,090) (14,991) (11,828) (19,166) Equity in losses of certain investees 5,245 5,187 68 183 98 Interest 194,362 186,546 157,575 136,857 120,368 Amortization of previously capitalized interest 3,600 3,440 3,039 2,433 2,849 Portion of rent representative of interest factor 11,000 10,928 11,305 11,173 11,522 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total earnings $ 421,316 $ 413,493 $ 479,936 $ 391,191 $ 289,883 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= Fixed charges Interest expense $ 194,362 $ 186,546 $ 157,575 $ 136,857 $ 120,368 Capitalized interest 12,000 5,000 12,000 4,000 7,000 Portion of rent representative of interest factor 11,000 10,928 11,305 11,173 11,522 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total fixed charges $ 217,362 $ 202,474 $ 180,880 $ 152,030 $ 138,890 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.94 x 2.04 x 2.65 x 2.57 x 2.09 x