Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), the state-owned energy giant of the United Arab Emirates, is reportedly considering a strategic entry into Venezuela’s natural gas sector. According to a Bloomberg report, preliminary discussions are underway between Adnoc and another international producer regarding potential investments in Venezuelan energy projects.
This potential move comes at a time when major U.S. energy corporations have expressed significant reservations about investing in Venezuela despite encouragement from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has publicly advocated for American companies to invest billions in revitalizing Venezuela’s crumbling energy infrastructure. However, industry leaders like Exxon Mobil have demonstrated reluctance, citing concerns about the country’s investment climate.
The potential Adnoc involvement aligns with Trump’s objectives and could strengthen UAE-U.S. relations. The Trump administration has shown willingness to adjust sanctions policy to stimulate investor interest in Venezuela, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggesting possible sanctions relief to attract foreign capital.
Venezuela possesses the world’s largest oil reserves and holds more than two-thirds of South America’s natural gas reserves. However, decades of economic mismanagement, political instability, and comprehensive U.S. sanctions have crippled its energy industry. Production has plummeted from approximately 3 million barrels per day in the late 1990s to around 800,000 barrels currently.
Adnoc’s international investment branch, XRG, would potentially utilize Abu Dhabi’s oil revenues to finance the substantial infrastructure investments required to capture Venezuela’s largely wasted natural gas resources. Much of Venezuela’s natural gas is currently lost through flaring—the burning of excess gas during oil extraction—a problem that requires costly infrastructure to address.
This potential investment follows Adnoc’s previous involvement in regional energy discussions, including previously reported talks about developing Gaza’s undeveloped gas fields as part of reconstruction efforts.
The geopolitical implications are significant, as the Trump administration maintains control over proceeds from Venezuelan oil sales. The Financial Times recently reported that the first batch of Venezuelan crude sold by the U.S. went to a company whose senior oil trader had donated to Trump’s re-election campaign.