US Sold The First Shipment Of Venezuelan Oil

• 15.01.2026, 15:22

Reuters revealed the details.

The U.S. has sold the first shipments of Venezuelan oil worth about $500 million, part of a $2 billion agreement reached earlier this month between Washington and Caracas.

The Reuters agency, citing a U.S. official, wrote that more sales are expected in the coming days and weeks. Proceeds from the first oil sales are being held in bank accounts controlled by the U.S. government, the official said.

An energy industry source said the main account is located in Qatar, which he said is a neutral territory where funds can move with U.S. consent without risk of seizure.

On Jan. 7, the U.S. government announced the start of a sale of Venezuelan crude on the world market. Approximately 30-50 million barrels are expected to be sold. The U.S. Department of Energy said all proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan crude oil and petroleum products will first be deposited into Washington-controlled accounts at globally recognized banks.

On January 15, oil prices took a sharp downward turn after U.S. President Donald Trump said the killings in Iran in a crackdown on nationwide protests were ending.