US oil executives are currently navigating a complex landscape of potential investment opportunities in Venezuela, juxtaposed with significant investor apprehension, as they prepare for a White House summit on Friday, January 9, 2026. This high-stakes meeting, led by President Donald Trump, aims to encourage American and international oil companies to invest heavily in Venezuela's dilapidated energy sector. This initiative follows the dramatic capture of Venezuelan ruler Nicolás Maduro by US forces on January 3, 2026. The Trump administration has unveiled an assertive policy to control Venezuela's oil sales "indefinitely." This plan involves the US marketing between 30 and 50 million barrels of currently blockaded Venezuelan crude, as well as future production, with proceeds to be deposited into US-controlled accounts. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated this control is crucial for leveraging change within Venezuela and ensuring funds benefit the Venezuelan people. To facilitate this, the US is selectively rolling back some sanctions to enable the transport and sale of Venezuelan crude and oil products to global markets, and authorizing the import of oilfield equipment. However, US oil firms remain cautious. They are wary of the substantial financial commitment required—estimated to be tens of billions, potentially over $100 billion—to rebuild Venezuela's infrastructure, which could take years. Companies are also concerned about political instability, the risk of asset nationalization (a past issue in Venezuela), and the profitability of such ventures, especially given President Trump's stated goal of driving global oil prices down to around $50 a barrel. Executives are expected to demand "serious guarantees" from Washington regarding legal and financial protections before committing significant capital to Venezuela.