US President Donald Trump said the interim authorities in Venezuela ‘will be turning over’ 30–50 million barrels of oil to the United States, following the removal of former president Nicolás Maduro.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social on Tuesday (Jan. 6), Mr Trump wrote: “I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America. This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.… It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States.”

Mr Trump has argued that American oil companies can repair and modernise Venezuela’s damaged energy infrastructure. 

The country holds an estimated 303 billion barrels — the world’s largest proven reserves — but production has fallen steadily since the early 2000s.

Venezuelan crude is predominantly heavy and high in sulphur, making it thicker, more difficult to transport, and more complex to refine than lighter oil grades. Processing it requires specialised refineries and higher capital investment. As a result, Venezuelan oil typically trades at a discount to lighter crude. 

Only Chevron currently operates in the country. Asked for comment about Trump’s plans for US oil production in Venezuela, Chevron spokesman Bill Turenne said the company “remains focused on the safety and wellbeing of our employees, as well as the integrity of our assets”.

“We continue to operate in full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations,” Turenne added.

ConocoPhillips, a major US oil company that no longer has a presence in Venezuela, “is monitoring developments in Venezuela and their potential implications for global energy supply and stability”, said spokesman Dennis Nuss.

“It would be premature to speculate on any future business activities or investments,” Nuss said.

ℹ️ BBC News

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