Yahoo Finance·2026-01-23 17:25Core Viewpoint - U.S. oilfield service companies, particularly SLB and Halliburton, are looking to increase their operations in Venezuela following the recent political changes, contingent on the establishment of appropriate licensing and compliance measures [1][3]. Group 1: SLB's Position and Plans - SLB has indicated it can rapidly scale up its activities in Venezuela if the necessary licensing and safety measures are in place [1]. - The company reported a larger-than-expected profit for the fourth quarter and has maintained its operational presence in Venezuela, providing services for Chevron [4]. - SLB previously generated over $1 billion in peak annual revenue from Venezuela and employed more than 3,000 people there a decade ago, though it currently has about 80 Venezuelans working on-site [5]. Group 2: Halliburton's Intentions - Halliburton is also seeking to re-enter the Venezuelan market, contingent on resolving commercial and legal terms, including payment certainty [3]. - The company is actively recruiting for various positions in Venezuela and has stated it can quickly mobilize equipment to become operational [6]. Group 3: Market Context and Analyst Insights - Both SLB and Halliburton are viewed as well-positioned to benefit from potential new investments in Venezuela, according to industry analysts [6]. - President Trump has indicated that U.S. oil companies will soon begin drilling in Venezuela, although there are concerns regarding the feasibility of a rapid return to operations [7].