Venezuela’s true oil potential
The Latin American producer’s crude prospects rely on a multi-pronged approach where even the relatively easy wins will take considerable time, effort and cost
US President Donald Trump’s vision of American oil companies investing billions to revive the Venezuelan oil industry after the capture of its leader Nicolas Maduro could soon become reality. The wheels are already in motion after a US-Venezuela energy deal was announced that would include some sanctions being lifted, Venezuelan crude being sold on the global market and greater transparency over oil sales. But after the fanfare, even the first small steps to revitalise the Latin American country’s decrepit oil sector look more like giant leaps given it will require a stable and encouraging political environment, lucrative fiscal terms, and favourable oil prices once oil volumes are both grow
Also in this section
4 March 2026
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed following US-Israel strikes and Iran’s retaliatory escalation, Fujairah has become the region’s critical pressure release valve—and is now under serious threat
3 March 2026
The killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in US–Israeli strikes marks the most serious escalation in the region in decades and a bigger potential threat to the oil market than the start of the Russia-Ukraine crisis
2 March 2026
A potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the escalating US-Iran conflict risks disrupting Qatari LNG exports that underpin global gas markets, exposing Asia and other markets to sharp price spikes, cargo shortages and renewed reliance on dirtier fuels
2 March 2026
The South Asian consumer’s next move could tighten the Middle East oil market overnight






