NorthAmOil - North America Oil & Gas
Venezuela’s ultra-heavy, super-sour Orinoco crude will be popular with most US Gulf Coast refineries for decades to come
Donald Trump’s grab of Venezuela’s oil is not just about making money. He is also grabbing an ultra-heavy grade of highly sulphurous oil that is very difficult to refine.
Vickery closes acquisition of Appalachia player Tribune
Vickery Energy Partners, which is a portfolio company of Quantum Capital Group, announced last week that it had closed its acquisition of Tribune Resources.
Canada’s CNRL seeks to buy Alberta gas assets from Tourmaline
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNRL) is seeking to acquire a portfolio of natural gas properties in Alberta from Tourmaline Oil.
US shale slowdown could provide boost to offshore oil and gas
A shale slowdown could provide a boost to the US Gulf of Mexico if producers turn their attention offshore.
Former oil minister says Venezuela can restore output without full industry overhaul
The former official said the technical and legal structures required to sharply raise output are already in place.
China’s Venezuelan oil intake set to drop after US blockade disrupts tanker flows
China’s purchases of Venezuelan oil are poised to decline sharply from February as US enforcement measures disrupt tanker movements following Washington’s assertion of control over the OPEC producer
Trump threatens to cut Venezuela oil lifeline to Cuba after Maduro ouster
The comments mark a sharp shift from remarks days earlier, when Trump suggested Cuba’s government could collapse on its own following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro
Venezuela oil shipments stir as tankers leave after export freeze
Venezuela’s oil trade showed early signs of movement after weeks of near standstill, with at least two supertankers departing the country on January 12 carrying crude, according to shipping data
Venezuela stocks rally to records as investors bet on post-Maduro shift
The benchmark IBC index has risen more than 130% since January 3, building on a surge that delivered gains of 1,644% in 2025
Moscow says Russian firms will keep working Venezuela oil assets
Russia said it will continue operating its oil projects in Venezuela and insisted the assets under development there remain Russian property
Venezuela moves to overturn Citgo sale order
Venezuela, its state oil company PDVSA and related entities have asked the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to set aside a Delaware judge’s order approving the sale of PDV Holding.
Canada could offer oil expertise to US on Venezuela
A Canadian oil industry executive has proposed that Canada use its heavy oil expertise to assist the United States in restoring Venezuela’s oil sector, saying Ottawa is well placed to support recovery efforts.
US moves in Venezuela are being felt half a world away in Asia
Venezuela itself has long occupied an unusual position in Asian oil markets. Its crude is heavy, sulphur-rich and difficult to process, yet it has found a natural home among a small subset of Asian refiners willing to adapt for the right price.
Coastal Bend LNG selects KBR for engineering contract
Houston-headquartered engineering firm KBR has been granted the front-end engineering design contract for the Coastal Bend LNG plant.
Equinor selects Aibel for maintenance of Hammerfest LNG plant
A $2bn contract for maintenance and modifications is intended to reduce the facility’s offline time.
Trafigura and Vitol set to handle Venezuelan oil sales under US oversight
Global trading houses Trafigura and Vitol have agreed to provide logistics and marketing services for Venezuelan crude at the request of the US government
Venezuela says seized oil tanker is returning after joint operation with US
Venezuela said an oil tanker that departed the country without authorisation has been intercepted and is returning to its waters following what authorities described as a joint operation with the United States
Venezuela’s potential comeback adds strain to US shale amid low oil prices
The capture of Nicolás Maduro has weighed on the shares of independent drillers including Diamondback Energy and Devon Energy, reflecting investor unease about future supply dynamics
Trump weighs blocking Exxon from Venezuela investment after CEO criticism
US President Donald Trump said he is considering excluding ExxonMobil from investing in Venezuela after the company’s chief executive described the country as “uninvestable”
Trump orders protection of Venezuelan oil funds held in US accounts
The White House said the decision to protect the funds, which are deposited with the US Treasury Department, was taken under a declaration of national emergency
Trump hints at Venezuela talks after oil proposal
vSpeaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on January 11, Trump said Washington was “working very well with the leadership” in Caracas and suggested discussions could evolve further
Egypt exports new LNG cargo to Canada as gas output expansion gains pace
Egypt exported a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from the Idku LNG complex on the Mediterranean coast, destined for Canada on behalf of France’s TotalEnergies (TTE: EPA)
Commonwealth LNG granted 20-year export authorisation
US LNG developer Commonwealth LNG has been given approval for a 20-year export license for non-free trade agreement countries from the Department of Energy.
Iraq’s oil exports to US decline sharply in first week of January, EIA reports
US crude oil imports from Iraq fell in the first week of January 2026, average US crude oil imports from nine major suppliers rose to 5.667mn barrels per day (bpd).
Methane leaks cloud Trump’s push to revive Venezuela’s oil industry
The emissions underscore both lost income and deep operational risks, complicating President Donald Trump’s efforts to draw major US producers back after the capture of Nicolás Maduro
US seizes fifth tanker as Trump tightens control over Venezuelan oil flows
A US maritime crackdown on sanctioned tankers is disrupting Venezuela’s shadow fleet and altering the destination of the country’s crude exports
US blockade stalls Venezuela’s shadow fleet
A US maritime crackdown on sanctioned tankers is disrupting Venezuela’s shadow fleet and altering the destination of the country’s crude exports
Gold Reserve challenges Citgo sale as it reviews Venezuela return plans
The miner said it has also begun reviewing and updating security arrangements to support possible negotiations for a safe return to operations in the country, as conditions evolve after Maduro’s capture
Trump’s Venezuela move exposes China’s reliance on sanctioned oil supplies
Donald Trump’s intervention in Venezuela has unsettled Chinese crude buyers by highlighting Washington’s capacity to disrupt oil flows from countries under US sanctions, intensifying concerns in Beijing that Iran could be next
US oil majors seek guarantees as Trump pushes Venezuela investment drive
US oil companies are pressing Washington for firm legal and financial assurances before committing significant capital to Venezuela
Trump offers Venezuelan crude to China and Russia under US control
US President Donald Trump said on January 9 that China and Russia are welcome to buy Venezuelan crude oil managed by Washington
Chevron, Vitol and Trafigura compete for Venezuelan oil
Global oil companies and trading houses are competing for US government contracts to export Venezuelan crude, as Washington moves to control the country’s oil sales following the capture of Nicolás Maduro
US pressure deepens uncertainty for Venezuela’s stricken oil sector
Venezuela’s oil industry is entering a period of acute uncertainty as US pressure intensifies following Washington’s intervention and the capture of Nicolás Maduro
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