U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is holding intensive talks with Venezuelan authorities on acquiring direct stakes in the country’s oil resources, the American outlet Axios reports, citing senior officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The potential deal could cover more than a dozen operating fields and significantly reshape the balance of power in the Western Hemisphere’s energy market. According to estimates, adding these assets could more than double U.S. oil reserves, while the combined technical capacity of the selected facilities could reach 90 million barrels per day.
The plan under discussion also envisions transferring operations, drilling, and sales to private companies, including major American corporations. Previously, these blocks were controlled by influential Venezuelan businessmen or linked to commercial interests oriented toward China. The agreement would accelerate the privatization and opening of Venezuela’s oil sector, while weakening the state-owned company PDVSA’s historic dominance and changing how revenues from energy resources are managed.
Full version: U.S. Negotiates with Venezuela to Acquire Stakes in Key Oil Fields