A vessel carrying heavy Venezuelan crude oil embarked from the port of José on Sunday, heading directly to the United States, signifying a pivotal shift in the energy relationship between Caracas and Washington following years of sanctions.
As reported by Reuters, the tanker Gloria Maris, chartered by the trading company Trafigura and flying the Liberian flag, has set course for the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) with approximately one million barrels of Merey crude. This marks the inaugural direct shipment of Venezuelan oil to U.S. territory under the new supply agreement for 50 million barrels, forged this month between the two governments.
This development emerges at a crucial juncture for Venezuela's beleaguered oil industry, burdened with over 40 million barrels in inventory and grappling with severe operational constraints following years of sanctions.
The Gloria Maris's journey can be tracked in real-time via the MarineTraffic platform, showing its path from the Venezuelan terminal of José to the U.S. coastline, with an estimated arrival in late January. The image of the ship navigating the Caribbean has become a symbolic representation of a geopolitical shift few anticipated just months ago.
According to Reuters, Trafigura and Vitol were the first trading houses to receive U.S. licenses to load and export Venezuelan crude. Until now, these groups had been sending shipments to Caribbean terminals, where the oil was subsequently traded to refineries in other countries.
Another vessel, the Volans, also departed from the port of José on the same day, carrying around 450,000 barrels of crude bound for Curaçao, with shipment figures under the agreement already exceeding 10 million barrels.
This progress coincides with a growing international interest in Venezuelan oil. Several European and American oil companies have requested licenses from the Trump administration to resume operations in Venezuela, as Washington positions this as part of a strategy to rebuild the energy sector following the capture of Nicolás Maduro and the beginning of a political transition phase.
Although the Venezuelan regime is still unable to reverse the production cuts imposed during the total blockade of sanctioned tankers, the departure of this first direct shipment to the U.S. signifies a turning point.
For a population battered by economic crisis and mass migration, oil once again takes center stage in a geopolitical game whose real benefits remain uncertain.
Understanding the Impact of Venezuelan Oil Exports to the U.S.
What is the significance of the new oil agreement between Venezuela and the U.S.?
The new oil agreement marks a significant shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations, allowing for the direct shipment of Venezuelan crude to U.S. soil after years of sanctions. It represents a potential revitalization of Venezuela's oil industry and a geopolitical shift in the region.
How does the shipment of Venezuelan crude to the U.S. affect the global oil market?
The shipment of Venezuelan crude to the U.S. could influence global oil supply dynamics, potentially lowering prices due to increased supply. It also signals a possible reintegration of Venezuelan oil into the global market.
Why is there international interest in Venezuelan oil despite the country's political instability?
Venezuela holds one of the largest oil reserves in the world, making its crude oil highly attractive to international markets. Despite political instability, the potential for profitable extraction and export remains significant.