Why boosting production of Venezuela's very dense, very sloppy' oil could harm the environment

"Environmental experts are warning that the U.S. push to revamp and boost Venezuela's vast oil reserves could worsen decades of ecological damage and increase planet-warming pollution in a country already struggling with the legacy of a long-declining petroleum industry. The warnings come as Washington has intensified pressure on Venezuela following the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro last weekend. Since then, the United States has moved to assert control over Venezuelan oil exports, the country's main source of revenue,"

"The Trump administration has said it plans to sell between 30 million and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude worldwide, though it has not specified a time frame. Proceeds would be held in U.S.-controlled accounts, which the administration says would benefit both Venezuelans and Americans. Industry analysts caution that significantly expanding Venezuelan oil production would require years of investment and tens of billions of dollars to repair decaying infrastructure, raising questions about how quickly or whether Trump's plans could realistically be carried out."

"You've got storage facilities literally sinking into the ground, broken wellheads and degraded infrastructure across the board, said Paasha Mahdavi, an associate professor of political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who studies energy governance and political economy. FILE Evana, an oil tanker, is docked at El Palito Port in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File) FILE The El Palito oil refinery operates in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)"

Environmental experts warn that U.S. efforts to revamp and expand Venezuela's oil production could intensify longstanding ecological damage and increase greenhouse gas pollution. Washington has moved to assert control over Venezuelan oil exports after the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro, including seizing tankers and signaling plans to redirect crude to global markets. The Trump administration announced plans to sell 30 to 50 million barrels, with proceeds held in U.S.-controlled accounts. Industry analysts say rebuilding production would take years and require tens of billions of dollars to repair decaying infrastructure. Examples include sinking storage facilities, broken wellheads and broadly degraded systems that complicate rapid production increases.

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