US Refineries Take Half of Venezuela's Oil Output

A U.S. government source has confirmed that Venezuela is shipping approximately 500,000 barrels per day of its crude oil—about 40 % of its total output of 1.25 million barrels per day—to refineries along the Gulf Coast. The statement, released by the Department of Energy, cites data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and Venezuelan export records. The shipments are reportedly routed through the Port of Houston and the Port of New Orleans, where domestic refineries process the crude into gasoline, diesel, and other products.

Venezuela’s oil exports have long been a point of contention between Washington and Caracas, especially amid ongoing U.S. sanctions aimed at curbing the country’s revenue. The new figure underscores the continued demand for Venezuelan crude in the United States despite the sanctions, and highlights the strategic importance of Gulf Coast refineries in the global oil supply chain. Analysts note that the volume represents a significant portion of the U.S. refinery throughput, which has been recovering after the COVID‑19 downturn.

The U.S. administration has reiterated its stance that all Venezuelan oil transactions must comply with existing sanctions and that any violations could trigger further enforcement actions. Meanwhile, Venezuelan officials have denied that the shipments are in breach of U.S. law, citing agreements with the United States and the necessity of maintaining their oil export revenue. The situation remains fluid as both sides navigate the complex interplay of trade, sanctions, and energy security.