(World Oil) – bp Plc and Venezuela agreed on a deal to explore for natural gas offshore as the South American country’s energy revival gathers pace following the U.S. capture of Nicolas Maduro.
The memorandum of understanding between bp and Caracas establishes “potential areas for co-operation in material gas and future exploration,” bp said Wednesday in an emailed statement. Venezuela state firm Petroleos de Venezuela SA also announced the pact.
The deal follows an energy conference in Caracas that drew large turnout from international companies and investors. European oil companies have been particularly keen to advance in Venezuela. Italian major Eni SpA announced an oil project on Tuesday and has a plan to start exporting natural gas with Spain’s Repsol SA starting in 2031.
Meanwhile, Shell Plc has been advancing the revival of its Dragon project near the Trinidad border, and French major TotalEnergies SE is nearing trading contracts with PDVSA.
bp’s new Chief Executive Officer Meg O’Neill is looking to boost the company’s long-term reserves as it refocuses on oil and gas following a failed push into low-carbon ventures.
