Hours after the U.S. attacked Venezuela and captured its leader Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, January 3, Donald Trump announced that American companies could invest billions of dollars to increase oil production in Venezuela, after it has declined significantly over the past two decades due to underinvestment and sanctions. This week, representatives of the largest companies in the US are scheduled to meet with the presidential administration.
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White House: Our oil companies are ready and willing
Reuters lists the three largest oil companies that may participate in the talks: Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips and Chevron. According to agency sources, none of them has talked to the White House yet. Their managers also did not previously know about Trump's plans to attack Venezuela. However, the White House is sure that oil companies will be happy to invest in Venezuelan oil deposits.
“All our oil companies are ready and willing to make large investments in Venezuela that will rebuild their oil infrastructure destroyed by the illegitimate Maduro regime.” White House spokesman Taylor Rogers told Reuters. Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips have not yet responded to requests for comment.
See also: Shares of American oil companies gain after the attack on Venezuela. They have billions of dollars to recover there
Reuters reports are confirmed by Bloomberg. According to the agency, Energy Secretary Chris Wright is scheduled to meet with company representatives this week.
Donald Trump announced facilities for companies that decide to invest. In a Monday interview with NBC, he emphasized that American oil companies that invest in the reconstruction of Venezuela's oil sector will receive compensation for their contribution. He argued that the revitalization of the industry could be achieved in less than 18 months. At the same time, he assured that in practice he was now ruling Venezuela.
