베네수 국회, 미·베네수 석유협정 승인…17개 유전 사업권 미국계 업체로

The Venezuelan National Assembly approved the United States-Venezuelan oil agreement on Tuesday, granting U.S.-based companies 17 new oil project rights. This move significantly expands U.S. influence in Venezuela's oil industry. According to sources, including AP, Reuters, and local media El Nacional, the Venezuelan legislature passed the agreement, which allows the U.S. to access 1/5 of Venezuela's oil reserves.

The agreement grants North American Blue Energy Partners, Venezuela's second-largest private oil company, 100-year leases on 17 oil projects, totaling 6.5 billion barrels of reserves, dwarfing the entire U.S. production capacity of 46 billion barrels. In return, the companies are expected to pay approximately $2 trillion (273 trillion won) in oil production fees and taxes over the first 25 years of the contract.

The U.S. government is also separately negotiating with North American Blue Energy Partners, with the Department of Defense acquiring 35% of the company's shares and the Department of State gaining control over 20% of the oil production costs to supply its domestic refineries. The remaining 80% of production will be under the Department of Defense's priority purchasing rights.

This U.S. move comes as China and Russia lose influence in Venezuela. North American Blue Energy Partners will control all 17 projects, including 14 new ones previously operated by Chinese and Russian companies. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson reacted strongly, stating that China's legitimate rights and interests in Venezuela must be protected.

Energy Secretary Rick Lt. will visit Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on Wednesday to finalize the oil agreement and sign agreements with private institutions. American major oil companies' representatives are expected to accompany Lt. on the visit to announce their expansion plans in the country.