Oil Tankers Avoid Venezuela as U.S. Sanctions and Threats Disrupt Exports
A growing number of oil tankers are rerouting away from Venezuela as the United States threatens to seize ships transporting oil that funds President Nicolás Maduro’s government. This move is adding pressure on Venezuela’s oil industry and creating potential global market disruptions.
Bloomberg tracking data shows that at least seven tankers have either turned back or halted at sea, following earlier U.S. operations on the vessel Skipper in December. Combined, these tankers carry approximately 12.4 million barrels of crude oil. With storage tanks nearing capacity, PDVSA has been forced to shut down several wells, and production in the Orinoco Belt—Venezuela’s main oil region—fell by 25% on December 29.
The U.S. has also targeted facilities allegedly used for drug trafficking, imposed sanctions on four Chinese companies, and restricted four oil tankers linked to Venezuela. Meanwhile, Chevron continues to load Venezuelan crude under a U.S. Treasury license, illustrating selective compliance amid sanctions.
Analysts warn that these developments could increase crude oil prices globally, exacerbate supply bottlenecks, and heighten geopolitical risks in the energy sector.
Keywords: Venezuela oil, oil tankers, US sanctions Venezuela, PDVSA, crude oil exports, Orinoco Belt, Chevron Venezuela, global oil prices, energy market disruption, Maduro regime