Newsletters | Request Trial | Log in | Advertise | Digital Issue   |   Search
  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search
Related Articles
Kazakhstan lays groundwork for transformation
The country is pushing to increase production and expand key projects despite challenges including OPEC+ discipline and the limitations of its export infrastructure
Letter from Iran: Testing times for Tehran-Beijing crude dynamics
Growing pressure from the Trump administration continues to threaten a resilient China-Iran oil nexus
Nigeria in upstream charm offensive
The country has opened bidding on 50 blocks in a new licensing round but will face competition for attention and will need to address concerns about security and legislation
Letter from Saudi Arabia: Big oil meets big shovel
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
Venezuela upends global heavy crude market
The ripple effects of US refiners switching to Venezuela grades will be felt from Canada to China and everywhere in between
Explainer: Iran’s indispensable energy role
The country’s global energy importance and domestic political fate are interlocked, highlighting its outsized oil and gas powers, and the heightened fallout risk
Venezuela mismanaged its oil, and US shale benefitted
Chavez’s socialist reforms boosted state control but pushed knowledge and capital out of the sector, opening the way for the US shale revolution
Outlook 2026: Peru 2026 – A confident step into a new energy era
The South American country offers stable, transparent and high-potential opportunities and is now ready for fresh exploration and partnership
Europe’s rising energy security challenge
Across Europe, countries have grappled with balancing ambitious energy transition plans with realities about security of supply
Outlook 2026: A new chapter for Namibia – Building an energy future with purpose
The country’s hydrocarbon resources offer a strategic and social opportunity that could see it becoming a leading light in Africa
Oilfield workers hold a flag with the PDVSA logo on it
Politics Upstream Venezuela
Paul Hickin,
Editor-in-chief
9 January 2026
Follow @PetroleumEcon
Forward article link
Share PDF with colleagues

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
Kazakhstan lays groundwork for transformation
20 February 2026
The country is pushing to increase production and expand key projects despite challenges including OPEC+ discipline and the limitations of its export infrastructure
LNG, a strategic safeguard
20 February 2026
Europe has transformed into a global LNG demand powerhouse over the last few years, with the fuel continuing to play a key role in safeguarding the continent’s energy security, Carsten Poppinga, chief commercial officer at Uniper, tells Petroleum Economist
A dual-coast LNG strategy
20 February 2026
Sempra Infrastructure’s vice president for marketing and commercial development, Carlos de la Vega, outlines progress across the company’s US Gulf Coast and Mexico Pacific Coast LNG portfolio, including construction at Port Arthur LNG, continued strong performance at Cameron LNG and development of ECA LNG
Cheniere’s disciplined expansion
19 February 2026
US LNG exporter Cheniere Energy has grown its business rapidly since exporting its first cargo a decade ago. But Chief Commercial Officer Anatol Feygin tells Petroleum Economist that, as in the past, the company’s future expansion plans are anchored by high levels of contracted offtake, supporting predictable returns on investment

Share PDF with colleagues

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: PDF sharing is permitted internally for Petroleum Economist Gold Members only. Usage of this PDF is restricted by <%= If(IsLoggedIn, User.CompanyName, "")%>’s agreement with Petroleum Economist – exceeding the terms of your licence by forwarding outside of the company or placing on any external network is considered a breach of copyright. Such instances are punishable by fines of up to US$1,500 per infringement
Send

Forward article Link

Send
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Project Data
Maps
Podcasts
Social Links
Featured Video
Home
  • About us
  • Subscribe
  • Reaching your audience
  • PE Store
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact us
  • Privacy statement
  • Cookies
  • Sitemap
All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws © 2025 The Petroleum Economist Ltd
Cookie Settings
;

Search