U.S. Refinery Begins Processing Venezuelan Oil

A tanker carrying Venezuelan crude has docked in the Mississippi Sound, marking a significant shift in U.S. energy flows.

Chevron’s Pascagoula refinery in Mississippi is particularly suited to processing heavy crude like Venezuela’s. (Photo: Chevron) 

The shipment — about 400,000 barrels — would have been impossible just months ago under previous sanctions, as reported by Samira Hussain and Nathalie Jimenez for BBC News.

Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but production declined sharply in recent years due to underinvestment and sanctions during the presidency of Nicolás Maduro.

Recent geopolitical shifts have led to a resumption of exports, with output surpassing one million barrels per day in March.

Energy companies, including Chevron, are now importing Venezuelan crude as global supply remains strained by disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East. Chevron’s Pascagoula refinery in Mississippi is particularly suited to processing heavy crude like Venezuela’s.