Chevron Went to Venuzuela, How US Oil Giants Are Taking Over Venezuela’s Exports
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| Photo by Shaah Shahidh on Unsplash |
A dramatic reshuffling of global energy logistics is underway in the Caribbean. Following the U.S. military’s ouster of Nicolás Maduro, a "small armada" of 11 tankers chartered by Chevron Corp. is currently steaming toward Venezuelan ports. This flotilla represents a stark pivot in the nation's oil trade: as the U.S. Navy enforces a strict blockade to strangle the illicit "dark fleet" that once moved sanctioned crude, Chevron has emerged as the sole authorized Western exporter allowed to operate within the chaos. Data indicates this is the highest level of activity for the company since October, signaling Washington's intent to immediately replace black-market flows with corporate-sanctioned exports.
The operational landscape is shifting by the hour. While Chevron’s vessels legally dock at the government-controlled ports of Jose and Bajo Grande, the U.S. military is actively purging the region of unauthorized traffic. At least 12 tankers suspected of carrying illicit oil have been turned away by the heavy naval presence, with two vessels already seized and a third, the Marinera (or Bella 1), currently being chased by U.S. forces. This blockade effectively crushed Venezuela's total exports to a 17-month low in December, clearing the board for American interests to assume dominance over the world's largest proven oil reserves.
The oil secured by Chevron is destined exclusively for American soil, feeding refineries owned by Valero Energy, Phillips 66, and Marathon Petroleum. This aligns perfectly with President Trump’s stated geopolitical strategy: utilizing U.S. corporate giants to stabilize Venezuela’s economy while securing energy dominance. Although Energy Secretary Chris Wright plans to meet with industry executives this week to encourage investment, producers remain cautious given the years of corruption and neglect that have ravaged the infrastructure. For now, Chevron stands alone as the primary bridge between Venezuela’s oil fields and the global market, navigating a narrow commercial lane amidst a militarized transition.