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Vijay Vaitheeswaran, The Economist’s Global Energy and Climate Innovation Editor talks to Ethan Wu and Mike Bird, co-hosts of The Money Talks podcast, about why America might never benefit from Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Donnie says he’s leaning toward excluding Exxon from his Venezuela plan, saying he was displeased with the company’s response to his initiative. Says “I didn’t like their response. They’re playing too cute.”
No, it's because Exxon's CEO told the group on Friday that Venezuela is “uninvestable” based on “the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today" -- voicing strong industry-inormed reservations to Donnie's brilliant scheme.
Trump asks US oil company's CEO why they left Venezuela, he blames Trump's 2019 sanctions. by Ashley Paul / Saturday, 10 January 2026 ...Trump asked Jeff Miller, CEO of US' largest oilfield services company Halliburton, why his company left Venezuela despite operating there since 1938. "We left under the sanctions in 2019. We'd intended to stay and when sanctions went into place, we were required to leave." Miller was referring to US' 2019 sanctions on Venezuelan oil imposed under Trump
Donnie says he’s leaning toward excluding Exxon from his Venezuela plan, saying he was displeased with the company’s response to his initiative. Says “I didn’t like their response. They’re playing too cute.”
No, it's because Exxon's CEO told the group on Friday that Venezuela is “uninvestable” based on “the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today" -- voicing strong industry-inormed reservations to Donnie's brilliant scheme.
I hope Darren Wood's mortgage applications are in order, and that he has proper permits for any home improvement projects.
There was a hastily arranged meeting with oil industry executives at the White House on January 9. Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods said his company was ready to evaluate a potential return to Venezuela but the country was currently "uninvestable" and major legal changes are required. ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance said that the state oil company (PDVSA) may need to be restructured before his company would consider returning to Venezuela. Mr. Lance also said banks — including EXIM Bank — should be involved in discussions to deliver the billions of dollars needed to repair the dilapidated energy infrastructure.
"Ready to evaluate a potential return..." - Oblique doublespeak for "Don't call us, we'll call you".
Ready to evaluate a potential return..." - Oblique doublespeak for "Don't call us, we'll call you".
Oh, I dunno... I'm always ready to evaluate a potential return to no wine with dinner, or to no more occasional adult beverages. Hell, I've been ready to evaluate all of that for at least 70 years already.
"On the day before, the Bureau of Land Management auctioned off more than 20,000 acres of public land in Colorado for oil and gas drilling. Or I should say, tried to auction the land off — because there were no bids, despite the fact that the land was offered at very low prices."
"So if oil companies are unwilling to invest in drilling in Colorado, why would they want to sink money into Venezuela?"
I am also struck by the thought that trump is like the cat who brings home a dead bird. When the human looks at it with disgust, the cat meanders away to look out the window.
"Trump spent a substantial part of the meeting talking about his *dead bird*, standing at the window and staring at it. He continued to talk about his *dead bird* even after returning to his seat."
I am laughing, reading this thread. No need to add. The Orange Wunderkind (LOL) just can't hit a target! Judges all over the place are reversing his decisions. He sends ICE around the country, only alienating nearly everyone. Windfarm off R.I. coast may now proceed, too.
A non-oil thought just struck me. ("I was thinking, which is a thing a man should not do." ---Dean Jagger as Major Stovall in Twelve O'Clock High, 1949.) The authors of "Project 2025" need to be arrested, indicted, thoroughly frightened, tried for treason and caged until they die.
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talks to Ethan Wu and Mike Bird, co-hosts of The Money Talks podcast,
about why America might never benefit from Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
No, it's because Exxon's CEO told the group on Friday that Venezuela is “uninvestable” based on “the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today" -- voicing strong industry-inormed reservations to Donnie's brilliant scheme.
Trump asks US oil company's CEO why they left Venezuela, he blames Trump's 2019 sanctions.
by Ashley Paul / Saturday, 10 January 2026
...Trump asked Jeff Miller, CEO of US' largest oilfield services company Halliburton, why his company left Venezuela despite operating there since 1938. "We left under the sanctions in 2019. We'd intended to stay and when sanctions went into place, we were required to leave." Miller was referring to US' 2019 sanctions on Venezuelan oil imposed under Trump
exxon's rex called at least 1 thing right .
Oh, I dunno... I'm always ready to evaluate a potential return to no wine with dinner, or to no more occasional adult beverages. Hell, I've been ready to evaluate all of that for at least 70 years already.
"So if oil companies are unwilling to invest in drilling in Colorado, why would they want to sink money into Venezuela?"
Once again, the dog that caught the car.
"Trump spent a substantial part of the meeting talking about his *dead bird*, standing at the window and staring at it. He continued to talk about his *dead bird* even after returning to his seat."
A non-oil thought just struck me. ("I was thinking, which is a thing a man should not do." ---Dean Jagger as Major Stovall in Twelve O'Clock High, 1949.) The authors of "Project 2025" need to be arrested, indicted, thoroughly frightened, tried for treason and caged until they die.