ExxonMobil Signs Preliminary Venezuela Oil Agreement With PDVSA

ExxonMobil and Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA signed a non-binding memorandum on Monday covering possible upstream oil projects. The move could begin ExxonMobil's return to Venezuela after nearly two decades, but the company has not identified fields, spending or a timetable. ExxonMobil said further investment depends on improved operating and legal conditions and acceptable financial returns.

The memorandum does not commit ExxonMobil to funding or production, so the immediate financial effect is limited. Any future project would require a separate agreement, while Venezuela could gain a new potential source of oil-sector investment and revenue.

  • 1ExxonMobil signed a non-binding memorandum with PDVSA to assess possible upstream oil opportunities in Venezuela.
  • 2The agreement could mark ExxonMobil's return to Venezuela nearly two decades after its assets there were expropriated.
  • 3ExxonMobil did not disclose the locations under review or commit to a specific project.
  • 4The company said any subsequent investment would depend on dependable government policy, defined regulations, legal safeguards and sufficient returns.
  • The memorandum does not establish which projects ExxonMobil may pursue, how much it could spend or when any development might begin.

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