Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2026-01-10 04:40Core Viewpoint - President Trump urged major oil companies to return to Venezuela to exploit its vast oil reserves, proposing a plan that could require at least $100 billion in investments to rebuild the country's oil industry [1] Group 1: Company Responses - Executives from major oil companies expressed skepticism about investing in Venezuela without significant legal and commercial reforms, with ExxonMobil's CEO stating the country is currently in an "uninvestable" state [1][5] - Chevron's executives showed a more positive stance, indicating potential for increasing production from existing joint ventures in Venezuela [6] - Other companies like Shell and Repsol expressed readiness to invest if U.S. sanctions are lifted, highlighting a willingness to explore opportunities in Venezuela [6] Group 2: Market Reactions - The announcement did not lead to significant market volatility, with oil prices remaining stable, reflecting investor skepticism about the feasibility of the proposed plan [2] - Chevron's stock price fell by 1% following the news, indicating market concerns over geopolitical risks associated with increased exposure to Venezuela [2] Group 3: Investment Challenges - Analysts noted that restoring Venezuela's oil production could require hundreds of billions of dollars due to years of neglect and mismanagement, posing a significant barrier to investment [7] - Trump's proposal to lower oil prices to $50 per barrel raised concerns that such low prices could hinder profitability for oil companies investing in Venezuela [7] Group 4: Security and Legal Uncertainties - Trump's assurances of "complete security" for companies were seen as vague, with concerns that safety would depend on the Venezuelan regime rather than U.S. military support [8] - Legal experts highlighted the gap between interest in potential investments and the actual commitment to spending, emphasizing the need for clearer regulations and easier access to licenses from U.S. authorities [8]