Duff & Phelps sounded an alert in late August after Petrozuata revealed additional costs of $228 million, bringing the total blowout to $553 million above budget, necessitating additional equity from backers Conoco and Petroleos de Venezuela. The total size of the project has now risen to $3.22 billion, up from $2.67 billion, with more than 80% of work completed. The Duff & Phelps report noted that the legal and structural merits of the Petrozuata project meant it deservedly outscored Venezuela's sovereign risk rating, but warned that further deterioration in the political outlook could impact the rating.