KEY POINTS
- Tankers chartered by Chevron have unloaded Venezuelan crude oil at US Gulf Coast ports.
- The deliveries proceed under a US license granted to Chevron, amid a broader blockade of other Venezuelan oil shipments.
- At least three more Chevron vessels are en route to US ports with additional cargoes
Tankers moving crude oil by Chevron under a specific US license have successfully delivered Venezuelan cargoes to American ports in recent days, even as the government enforces a broader maritime blockade against the sanctioned country.
At least two vessels chartered by Chevron Corp. have finished discharging oil along the Gulf Coast, according to tanker tracking data reviewed by Bloomberg.
The Searuby has completed its delivery, while the Canopus Voyager is currently unloading. A third ship, the Nave Neutrino, also offloaded Venezuelan crude, though its commercial ties are less clear.
More Cargoes Are En Route
The movements are legal under a US government license held by Chevron that permits it to drill for and export oil from Venezuela. The shipments are being closely watched as the Biden administration attempts to tighten financial pressure on the government of President Nicolas Maduro by restricting its main revenue source.
Chevron did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the deliveries. Tracking data indicates at least three more company-chartered vessels are sailing toward the US and are scheduled to discharge their cargoes soon.
While foreign tankers not operating under an exemption have been stalled, Chevron’s licensed ships have proceeded without interruption. The company has sold at least ten cargoes of Venezuelan oil for January delivery, suggesting the flow will continue in the near term. The ongoing shipments highlight the complex balance of enforcing sanctions while allowing specific, licensed energy activities to continue.
