Archive · 28 Aug 2026
US, Venezuela Near Deal for Long-Term Oilfield Access
The United States and Venezuela are discussing a possible oil agreement.
It could give American companies access to some Venezuelan oilfields.
The oil produced from those fields would be reserved for the United States.
One possible plan would use very long leases, potentially lasting 100 years, followed by auctions for individual fields.
The proposed list includes new fields in the Orinoco Belt and older fields near Lake Maracaibo.
Some of the fields already have contracts with a Chinese company.
Supporters hope the deal will bring more oil to the United States and encourage investment in Venezuela.
They also hope it could lower gasoline prices and help refill the US oil reserve.
Experts say the plan may be challenged because Venezuela’s laws and Constitution do not clearly allow this type of lease.
Trump administration officials are reportedly negotiating long-term US access to selected Venezuelan oilfields.
A proposed lease model could be followed by auctions or tenders assigning individual fields to American producers.
Reuters reviewed 17 fields, including undeveloped Orinoco Belt properties and mature Lake Maracaibo assets.
Some fields are operated by a Chinese company under a contract signed during Nicolás Maduro’s administration.
Legal experts warned that the arrangement could raise constitutional questions and face legal challenges, while Venezuela considers leaving OPEC.
- Who
- The Trump administration and Venezuela’s government are reportedly negotiating the arrangement, with American companies expected to develop the fields.
- What
- A proposed agreement would give the United States long-term access to selected Venezuelan oilfields through a possible lease and auction or tender process.
- When
- The deal could be finalized and announced soon; the reports place it months after Nicolás Maduro’s removal in January and ahead of US midterm elections in November.
- Where
- The fields are in Venezuela, including the Orinoco Belt and areas around Lake Maracaibo.
- Why
- The stated goals are to secure crude for US refineries, attract American investment, expand Venezuelan production, potentially lower gasoline prices, and help replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Potential Benefits
Legal and Contractual Concerns
US oil supply
Potential Benefits
Supporters say guaranteed Venezuelan output could provide stable crude for US refineries and potentially reduce import and gasoline costs.
Legal and Contractual Concerns
The articles do not establish that the agreement would definitely increase production or lower prices, and its terms remain unsettled.
Long-term lease structure
Potential Benefits
A lease followed by auctions or tenders could give American producers a clear framework for developing selected fields.
Legal and Contractual Concerns
Venezuela’s current hydrocarbons rules do not include acreage leases, while its Constitution reserves core industry activities to the state, creating possible legal challenges.
Existing field contracts
Potential Benefits
Opening fields to US investment could support Venezuela’s deteriorated energy industry and expand output.
Legal and Contractual Concerns
Some proposed fields are already operated by a Chinese company under a contract from Maduro’s administration, creating uncertainty about existing rights.
- Fields under discussion
- Reuters reviewed a list of 17 Venezuelan oilfields.
- Proposed legal model
- A lease is reportedly being considered, with Bloomberg reporting that some leases could last 100 years; the terms could change.
- Possible allocation process
- Auctions or tenders could assign individual fields among US producers.
- Locations
- The list includes undeveloped fields in the Orinoco Belt and mature assets around Lake Maracaibo.
- Venezuelan production
- The country currently produces about 1.25 million barrels of crude oil per day, according to the reports.
- Strategic Petroleum Reserve
- The US reserve holds about 290 million barrels, roughly 41% of its maximum capacity.
- Legal concerns
- Experts said the arrangement could raise constitutional questions and face legal challenges.
