US-Venezuela Oil Deal Grants 100-Year Concessions Across 17 Oil Fields

The White House has officially published the terms of a major oil agreement between the United States and Venezuela, covering 17 oil fields with reported reserves of 65 billion barrels and concessions lasting 100 years. The agreement gives the United States a 35% equity stake, preferential access to Venezuelan oil production and significant influence over corporate governance, while Venezuela is set to receive substantial infrastructure investment and royalty revenues.

The details were highlighted by @coinbureau in a recent post on X, which summarized the principal provisions of the agreement and the benefits outlined for both countries.

What the United States Gets From the Agreement

Under the terms outlined in the announcement, the United States will receive a 35% equity stake at zero cost to American taxpayers. The arrangement gives Washington a direct financial interest in the company responsible for developing the covered oil fields.

The agreement also provides the United States with the right to purchase 20% of all production at cost. In addition, Washington will have a right of first refusal on the remaining 80% of production.

These provisions give the United States preferential access to oil produced under the agreement. The combination of equity ownership and production rights creates a framework through which the United States can maintain a substantial role in the commercial development of the Venezuelan fields.

The United States will also have veto power over board appointments, giving Washington influence over the governance of the company involved in the agreement.

The scale of the oil resources covered by the deal is markets another significant element. The 17 fields collectively hold 65 billion barrels, according to the figures cited in the announcement. The post shared by @coinbureau stated that the reserves would more than double American oil reserves.

Venezuela to Receive Major Investment and Royalties

For Venezuela, the agreement provides for significant financial commitments aimed at supporting the country's oil industry and broader infrastructure.

According to the published terms, Venezuela could receive up to $100 billion in infrastructure investment. The agreement also projects roughly $200 billion in royalties over a 25-year period.

The investment component is particularly important because Venezuela's petroleum industry has faced years of declining production, aging infrastructure and limited investment. The proposed funding would provide resources for the development and rehabilitation of oil-related infrastructure associated with the covered fields.

The royalty payments would provide Venezuela with another source of revenue as production from the fields progresses. Unlike the 100-year concession period, the royalty figure cited in the agreement covers an initial 25-year period.

The structure therefore gives Venezuela access to both immediate investment commitments and longer-term revenue potential from its oil resources.

NABEP to Take Over Fields Previously Operated by Chinese and Russian Companies

The agreement also changes the companies responsible for operating several Venezuelan oil fields.

U.S. oil company NABEP will take over fields that were previously operated by Chinese and Russian companies, according to the information outlined in the announcement. The change would increase the role of U.S.-linked interests in Venezuela's strategically important petroleum sector.

Chinese and Russian companies have historically maintained significant interests in Venezuela's oil industry. The transfer of selected fields to NABEP therefore represents a shift in the operational structure of some of the country's energy assets.

The 17 fields covered by the agreement contain a combined 65 billion barrels of reported reserves. The long-term concession framework gives NABEP responsibility for developing those resources under the terms established by the agreement.

Trump Calls It the Biggest Oil Deal in World History

President Donald Trump has described the agreement as "the biggest oil deal in world history."

The statement reflects the size and duration of the arrangement, which combines 100-year concessions, 65 billion barrels of reported reserves, up to $100 billion in infrastructure investment and roughly $200 billion in projected royalties over 25 years.

For Washington, the agreement establishes ownership, production access and governance rights connected to a major Venezuelan oil operation. For Caracas, it provides a framework for attracting large-scale investment while generating future royalty revenues.

The agreement also places the United States in a stronger position within Venezuela's oil sector, particularly through its equity stake, purchasing rights and authority over board appointments.

The economic impact of the arrangement will ultimately depend on the development of the fields, the level of investment delivered and the amount of oil that can be brought into production. The published terms, however, establish a long-term framework for cooperation between the United States and Venezuela centered on one of the world's largest concentrations of oil resources.

Writer: Victoria Hale
Technology & Blockchain Writer

Victoria Hale writes about blockchain technology, digital infrastructure, and the intersection of emerging technologies with finance. Her articles explore how new protocols and systems are shaping the evolving digital economy.

She prioritises clarity and accuracy when explaining technical developments to a general audience.