Venezuela Secures Deal to Export Up to $2 Billion in Oil to the United States

Caracas and Washington have finalized an agreement allowing Venezuela to export up to $2 billion worth of crude oil to the United States, according to statements from U.S. President Donald Trump. This arrangement aims to redirect Venezuelan oil supplies away from China and prevent further reductions in Venezuela's oil production.

The deal represents a significant development in relations between the two countries, with Trump indicating that Venezuela will provide between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil. He specified that this oil, previously subject to restrictions, will be sold at market prices, with the proceeds managed by him as U.S. President to support the people of both Venezuela and the United States. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has been tasked with overseeing the execution of this agreement, which involves transferring oil from ships directly to U.S. ports.

This move comes amid heightened U.S. pressure on Venezuela, including a blockade on exports implemented by the Trump administration in mid-December. The blockade contributed to millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil remaining loaded on tankers or in storage, unable to be shipped. The situation escalated with the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces over the weekend, an action Venezuelan officials described as a kidnapping and an attempt to seize the country's oil reserves.

Initially, supplying this oil to the United States may involve reallocating cargoes that were originally destined for China, which has served as Venezuela's primary oil buyer over the past decade, particularly following U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil trade in 2020. An industry source noted that Trump seeks a swift implementation to highlight it as a major achievement.

Venezuelan government officials and state oil company PDVSA have not commented on the matter. Currently, Chevron controls all Venezuelan oil flows to the United States under a specific U.S. authorization. The company has been exporting between 100,000 and 150,000 barrels per day without interruption, even during the recent blockade, making it the sole entity handling such shipments.

It remains unclear whether Venezuela will gain access to any proceeds from these sales, given existing sanctions that exclude PDVSA from the global financial system, freeze its bank accounts, and block U.S. dollar transactions. Venezuela's flagship crude grade, Merey, has been priced at approximately $22 per barrel below Brent for delivery at Venezuelan ports, valuing the potential deal at up to $1.9 billion.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed the role on Monday, faces her own U.S. sanctions from 2018 related to actions seen as undermining democracy.

Discussions between Venezuelan and U.S. officials this week explored sales mechanisms, such as auctions enabling U.S. buyers to bid on cargoes, and the issuance of U.S. licenses to PDVSA's partners for supply contracts. In the past, similar licenses have permitted companies like Chevron, India's Reliance, China National Petroleum Corporation, and European firms Eni and Repsol to access Venezuelan oil for refining or resale.

Some of these companies have started preparations this week to resume receiving Venezuelan cargoes. Additionally, talks have touched on the possibility of using Venezuelan oil to replenish the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, though Trump did not address this aspect.

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum described an increased flow of Venezuelan heavy oil to the U.S. Gulf Coast as positive for job security, future gasoline prices in the United States, and Venezuela's economy. He emphasized that American technology and partnerships could help rebuild and transform Venezuela's oil sector.

Prior to the initial U.S. energy sanctions, Gulf Coast refineries imported around 500,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan heavy crude, which they are equipped to process. PDVSA has already reduced production due to the embargo and storage constraints, with further cuts likely without prompt exports.

Market reactions included a drop of more than 1.5% in U.S. crude prices following Trump's announcement, anticipating higher Venezuelan supplies. Differentials for certain heavy oil grades in the U.S. Gulf decreased by about 50 cents per barrel amid expectations of increased volumes.

This agreement aligns with Trump's calls for greater access for U.S. companies to Venezuela's oil industry, amid warnings of potential military intervention if demands are not met.