Venezuela Has the World's Largest Oil Reserves. Why Won't U.S. Companies Go Back?

Why would America's oil giants turn their backs on the world's largest crude reserves? Despite the Trump administration's intensifying pressure on Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and its calls for U.S. companies to return, the industry isn't interested. Currently, Chevron is the only major U.S. oil company still operating in the country.

According to Politico, some American oil companies have already told President Trump they have no plans to re-invest, even if a regime change occurs. This hesitation is rooted in a painful history where firms like ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil saw their assets expropriated and were forced out.

A Mountain of Above-Ground Risk

The primary deterrent for these companies is profound unpredictability. Scott Modell, CEO of the energy consulting firm Rapidan, told NPR that stabilizing the 'above-ground political risk' in Venezuela will take years, and companies aren't going to rush back in. The analysis suggests that even if Maduro falls, the entire ecosystem—courts, regulators, and state-owned oil institutions—will need a lengthy overhaul to become reliable and predictable.

Crumbling Infrastructure and a Broken Economy

Beyond politics, the physical and economic barriers are immense. Venezuela's oil infrastructure is in a state of severe decay. Wells and pipelines are corroded, and blending facilities need urgent repairs. Frequent power grid failures regularly shut down oil operations. Modell notes that companies would have to worry about basics like reliable water and power.

The country's shattered economy further dampens any investment appeal. Hyperinflation, an exodus of the prime working-age population, and rampant government corruption make it nearly impossible for a company to rationally justify a multi-billion dollar investment in an environment where the basic rule of law is absent.

Better Bets, Like Guyana

Crucially, oil majors have safer, more attractive places to invest their capital. The massive offshore discoveries in neighboring Guyana present a prime example. No matter how much the Trump administration incentivizes a return, global energy giants are now pickier with their projects. By all current measures, Venezuela doesn't make the cut.