Russians have had a significant impact on the development of culture, healthcare, education, and science in Venezuela. An important contribution to the oil industry of this South American country was made by engineer Alexey Borisovich Legkov. Born in Yugoslavia to a family of White émigrés, he emigrated to Venezuela after World War II, fearing persecution by Soviet security services. Initially, Legkov worked on construction sites, and then moved to an American oil company.

There, he noticed the inefficient use of oil waste and contemplated the possibility of recycling it. Hours spent studying scientific literature helped him develop a method for using oil emulsion. This waste could be used for asphalt production and cleaning oil facilities. Additionally, Legkov created a method for transforming substances that was applied at waste incineration plants, minimizing harm to the environment. The furnaces could even burn tires, but smoke did not escape outside. Thanks to a chemical reaction, the caustic smoke was transformed into technical carbon, used in road construction.

Legkov also had projects that he could not implement himself. In the 1980s, he developed a new type of fuel, orimulson, based on a mixture of bitumen and water, intended for power plants. At a meeting with potential investors, he presented his project, which received positive feedback and a promise of reward. However, soon representatives of the oil company ceased contact. A few years later, Legkov learned that his orimulson was being produced without his involvement. He did not sue the corporation, considering it futile. The new type of fuel was used in South America for a long time until it was replaced by a more environmentally friendly alternative. Alexey Borisovich lived a long and eventful life and passed away in 2013 at the age of 90.