Venezuela was the United States’ second-largest crude supplier for 18 weeks in 2026
Federal weekly data through August 21 showed Venezuela as the second-largest source of U.S. crude imports for 18 consecutive weeks. Separately, U.S. and Venezuelan officials were reportedly discussing long-term access to Venezuelan fields, but no deal was confirmed.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Event date: The federal import data covered the week ending August 21, 2026; separate field-access talks were reported on August 27, 2026. [1][2][3]
What happened
Federal weekly data through the week ending August 21, 2026 showed Venezuela as the second-largest source of U.S. crude imports for 18 consecutive weeks. The run began in late April, according to the cited data series. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Venezuelan crude oil now second-largest US sourceriotimesonline.com · Article published: Aug 27, 2026, 5:39 PM UTC
Venezuela shipped about 662,000 barrels per day in the latest week covered, while the week ending August 7 reached about 743,000 barrels per day, described as the highest level since 2017. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Venezuelan crude oil now second-largest US sourceriotimesonline.com · Article published: Aug 27, 2026, 5:39 PM UTC
The ranking concerns crude oil, not all petroleum products. The source also says total U.S. crude imports have declined since 2024, although Venezuela’s increase was real in absolute barrels rather than only a larger percentage share. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Venezuelan crude oil now second-largest US sourceriotimesonline.com · Article published: Aug 27, 2026, 5:39 PM UTC
Reuters reported that U.S. and Venezuelan officials were discussing a deal for long-term access to some Venezuelan oil fields. Sources said possible structures included government-backed access or leases, but negotiations were not final. [2][3]
References for this detail (2)
- US nears deal to secure long-term access to Venezuela's oil reserves, sources sayyahoo.com · Article published: Aug 28, 2026, 3:36 PM UTC
- U.S., Venezuela discuss major oil field stake, potential 100-year leaseworldoil.com · Recorded source date: Aug 28, 2026, 6:31 AM UTC
Venezuela’s current hydrocarbons rules do not provide for acreage leases, and its constitution reserves core industry activities to the state. Those legal constraints could affect any proposed arrangement. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- US nears deal to secure long-term access to Venezuela's oil reserves, sources sayyahoo.com · Article published: Aug 28, 2026, 3:36 PM UTC
Context from the sources
Chevron was identified as the largest single American operator in Venezuela through joint ventures, with exports averaging about 293,000 barrels per day in the second quarter, up from 223,000 earlier. [1]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
3 source links · 3 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] Venezuelan crude oil now second-largest US sourceriotimesonline.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3
- [3] U.S., Venezuela discuss major oil field stake, potential 100-year leaseworldoil.comReferenced for: detail 4
- [2] US nears deal to secure long-term access to Venezuela's oil reserves, sources sayyahoo.comReferenced for: detail 4, detail 5
Questions answered by the reporting
How long had Venezuela held the second position?
The ranking lasted 18 consecutive weeks, beginning in late April 2026, according to the cited federal weekly data. [1]
What this could mean for you
U.S. crude supply planning could become more sensitive to Venezuelan output changes
The United States has received substantial Venezuelan crude shipments, so interruptions would remove part of that supply stream
Reported basis: [1][2][3] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Venezuelan production or exports fall, or access arrangements fail
Possible time frame: months, if those conditions hold.
Investment and export decisions could be delayed
Unsettled negotiations and Venezuelan legal constraints may leave companies uncertain about field rights
Reported basis: [2][3] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Talks continue without a legally workable agreement
Possible time frame: months, if those conditions hold.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Venezuelan shipments decline from the levels recorded through August 21.
Negotiators fail to reconcile proposed field access with Venezuela’s hydrocarbons rules and constitutional limits.
Pressure eases if…
The parties publish a finalized, legally valid agreement for field access.
Venezuelan exports remain stable while the talks clarify operating terms.
Still unclear
The sources do not establish the final terms, legal approval or signing date of any U.S.-Venezuela field agreement.
The data do not identify how Venezuela’s ranking compares with each individual competing supplier during the latest week.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (3)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
—Ranking Venezuela has been the second-largest US crude supplier for 18 consecutive weeks. —Latest week Venezuela shipped 662,000 barrels per day in the week ending…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
HOUSTON/WASHINGTON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Trump administration officials are working on a deal to secure long-term access to a portion of Venezuela's crude reserves, sources…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
(Bloomberg) – The U.S. is in talks with Venezuela to take a large stake in its oil fields, a dramatic move by the Trump administration…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
First tracked by DoomRadar: . AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.